This Week in Metro Manila (October 17 to 23, 2016)

An executive order (EO) that aims to ban smoking in public places have been submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte and is currently under review for his signature. The Department of Health (DOH) made the draft EO patterned after Davao City’s existing ordinance. Under this EO, smoking is banned in all public places such as parks, malls, bus stations, public vehicles. The DOH is hoping to implement this act by the end of October.

Following the extension of driver’s licenses up to 5-year validity, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) is planning to add more satellite offices in malls and public places. This is intended to assist more motorists who will apply for renewal. The most recent Driver’s License Renewal Office (DLRO) opened at the 3rd floor of Lucky Chinatown in Binondo, Manila.

The Quezon City government implements emergency hotline 122 which every resident, tourist, and commuters transiting within the city can dial for help during urgent situations. The hotline will be available 24 hours and will be manned by call takers from the Quezon City Police District, Bureau of Fire Protection, QC Radio Communications Service, the QC Public Affairs and Information Services Office, and the QC Department of Public Order and Safety. Mayor Herbert Bautista is expected to launch the 122 hotline within October.

Read: Budget Hotel Alert in Quezon City: Happy “Staycationing” in QC!

The actual implementation of the no-window traffic scheme starts on Monday, October 17. The new traffic system applies to EDSA, C5, Alabang Zapote Road, Roxas Boulevard, Mandaluyong, Makati, and Las Piñas with the intent to reduce the number of vehicles plying through these areas. However, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said that motorists can cross EDSA, but not traverse it. The new traffic scheme will be in effect until January 31, 2017 and will be evaluated by the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic Management.

Froelich Tours, Inc. recently launched 14 new ANKAI P2P bus units to serve public commuters traversing EDSA. Five out of the 14 buses are devised for persons with disability, two are VIP double decker buses, and seven units are VIP semi double-decker intended for individuals who will be affected by the new no-window coding scheme. The VIP double decker buses have 52 reclining seats, with a VIP cabin room, sofas, a conference table and flat screen TV monitors on the lower floor.

The 4th QCinema Film Festival is happening on October 13 to 22 at the following Quezon City cinemas: Gateway Cineplex, Trinoma Cinemas, Robinsons Movieworld Galleria, UP Town Center Cinemas, and QCX Museum at the Quezon City Memorial Circle. The Quezon City Film Development Commission (QCFDC) has been providing grants to filmmakers since 2012, helping them reach a wider audience through short and full-length film competitions. Admission is priced at PhP150 each; discount is not available.