E. Samar town has eyes on Red Orchid Award

ARTECHE, Eastern Samar – This town, which is the first and only smokefree municipality in Eastern Samar, is confident of winning the Red Orchid Award this year.

The Red Orchid is the highest award conferred to municipalities, government offices and health facilities that have implemented policies leading to a 100 percent smoke-free community.

The second highest award is the Pink Orchid, and the third is the White Orchid.

Last Wednesday, Arteche, which is in the northernmost part of the province, was graded excellent by the national validators from the Department of Health (DOH) .

Mayor Roland Evardone envisions that in five to 10 years, the culture of cigarette smoking in Arteche would end.

“We wanted to take pride that a small, neglected town in the northeastern part of Samar stood up to the challenge to implement such an ordinance even though it will make us less popular because it is against the norm or “nakasanayan”. But because we feel that it is necessary, we have to do it,” Evardone said.

Winning the Red Orchid will be an affirmation that the town is on the right track in protecting the environment. The mayor said he already considers the residents as winners because of their support, trust and cooperation.

Apart from the smoking ban, the local government has other programs promoting a clean and healthy environment, such as the ‘Plastic Palit Lapis.