BATANGAS, Philippines – An alliance of health organizations has threatened to sue officials of Tanauan City in Batangas province for naming a street in the city after a cigarette brand.

Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance Philippines (FCAP), has threatened to sue Tanauan City Mayor Sonia Torres-Aquino and the members of the Sangguniang Bayan for naming a street “Philip Morris Street” after a cigarette brand.

Dr. Maricar Limpin, FCAP Executive Director said that the city officials approved through a Sangguniang Panglunsod (City Council) resolution the naming of a street in Barangay Pantay Bata with “Philip Morris Street.”

The group said this is unlawful and morally incorrect.

“Putting up a street sign bearing the name of a cigarette brand is not only a violation of an existing national law, but is utterly unmindful of and insensitive to the health of the constituents as it honors a product that has consistently contributed to 10 Filipino deaths a day,” Limpin said.

In a letter sent to Torres-Aquino and the City Council Tuesday, the group warned that they will be constrained to file administrative and criminal cases should the city officials persist in putting up a street sign bearing the name of “Philip Morris”.

“Outdoor advertising”

The group said that under the Tobacco Regulation Act or Republic Act 9211, a street sign falls under the category of “advertising”, specifically “outdoor advertising” because it is a visual message or a “sign” intended for the public which gives publicity by words or images about or on a particular product, in this case, Philip Morris.

Section 22 of the law prohibits all forms of outdoor advertising of tobacco products starting July 1, 2007, Limpin reiterated.

Limpin said Section 4 of the same law defines “advertisement” as “any visual and/or audible message disseminated to the public about or on a particular product that promote and give publicity by words, designs, images or any other means through broadcast, electronic, print or whatsoever form of mass media, including outdoor advertisements, such as but not limited to signs and billboards.”

“We strongly urge the local leaders to refrain from carrying out the mandate of the Sangguniang Panglunsod resolution naming one of its streets as ‘Philip Morris’ and putting up that street sign bearing the name of ‘Philip Morris’,” Dr. Limpin added

The group said that by doing so, it would be a blatant violation of the law and a betrayal of the trust given by the city’s electorate.

“Extolling and honoring ‘Philip Morris’, a manufacturer and purveyor of a deathly product, through a street sign, not only runs contrary to law, but to this public duty and trust,” explained Limpin.

“Appreciation”

The Tanauan City Council passed a resolution naming a road in Barangay Pantay Bata as Philip Morris Street as a way of expressing its appreciation for the tobacco company’s alleged support to the town. The city hosts one of the company’s factories in the country.

A resolution sponsored by Councilor Edilberto Quilao also agreed to name the street to Philip Morris and was approved by members of the Sangguniang Barangay of Barangay Pantay Bata and around 160 members of different organizations in an assembly last November 20, 2009. It cited the valuable contribution extended by the company to the barangay.

“There being no legal prohibition to name a certain place before someone and considering the unanimity of the Sangguniang Barangay and the residents, the resolution was approved” Quilao said.

In spite of the contributions to the city, the FCAP leader however explained the tobacco company’s primary objective.

“In the guise of doing philanthropic activities under the so-called corporate social responsibility (CSR), Philip Morris has succeeded in being a leader of an industry that is responsible for more than five million deaths each year. Whatever support extended by Philip Morris to the city directly contradicts the primary objective of the corporation – to sell more cigarettes and peddle death in the process,” said Limpin.

Quilao added that based on Section 13 of RA 7160, “this refers to the change of name not assigning a name for the first time.”

Tanauan City administrator Atty. Jun Trinidad said, however, that Torres-Aquino did not sign any document approving the resolution of the City Council.

“Mayor Sonia did not sign any document because its not an ordinance, its just a mere resolution, it doesn’t need the signature of the mayor,” said Trinidad.