ORDINANCE NO. 2019-070

AN ORDINANCE DECLARING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY OF EVERY YEAR AS THE “NAGA CITY DENTAL HEALTH MONTH” IN THE CITY OF NAGA IN LINE WITH THE NATIONWIDE OBSERVANCE OF NATIONAL DENTAL HEALTH MONTH HELD ANNUALLY IN FEBRUARY, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR: –

Author: Hon. Jessie Albeus

EXPLANATORY NOTE:

WHEREAS, Presidential Proclamation No. 559 was issued by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on February 24, 2004 “Declaring the month of February of every year as National Dental Health Month”;

WHEREAS, subject to the provisions of Title Five, Book I of RA 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, local government units shall exercise such powers and discharge such functions and responsibilities that are necessary, appropriate, or incidental to efficient and effective provision of the basic services and facilities;

WHEREAS, such services include the implementation of programs and projects on primary health care, maternal and child care, and communicable and non-communicable disease control services, access to secondary and tertiary health services and the purchase of medicines, medical supplies and equipment needed to carry out the services herein enumerated (RA 7160, Sec 17) (b) (2) (iii);

WHEREAS, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 559, the observance aims to strengthen public awareness on the importance of good oral health and encourage individuals and relevant agencies to reach out to more people with no access to oral health services and programs;

WHEREAS, considering that even with the national proclamation, Naga City still suffers from high prevalence of oral health problems, it becomes clear that the city needs a firmer and a more stable law to enforce and advocate the importance of oral health awareness;

WHEREAS, there is a need to institutionalize different programs, projects and activities that shall address the alarming high incidence of caries.

BE IT ORDAINED, therefore, by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Naga City, that:

SECTION 1. TITLE. – This Ordinance shall be known as the “NAGA CITY DENTAL HEALTH MONTH CELLEBRATION” Ordinance.

SECTION 2. BASIS OF ORDINANCE – This Ordinance is hereby enacted pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 559 issued by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on February 24, 2004 “Declaring the month of February of every year as National Dental Health Month.”

SECTION 3. PURPOSE – The purpose of this Ordinance is to have an annual and continuing promotion to effectively promote dental health consciousness among the people.

SECTION 4. DEFINITION OF TERMS – As used in this Ordinance, the following terms shall mean:

a. Philippine National Dental Health Month – an annual observance which started in 1951 as National Dental Health Week but was expanded into a month-long celebration on February 24, 2004 pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 559 signed by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

b. Republic Act 7150 – Local Government Code of 1991.

c. Oral Health – includes the ability to speak, smile, smell, taste, touch, chew, swallow and convey a range of emotions through facial expressions with confidence and without pain, discomfort and disease of the craniofacial complex.

d. Government Agencies – all relevant government agencies, whether local or national, within the city.

e. NCDHM – Naga City Dental Health Month

SECTION 5. CELEBRATION OF “NAGA CITY DENTAL HEALTH MONTH” – The Local Government Unit and all its subdivisions, together with all 27 barangays, as well as government agencies within the city are required to celebrate and participate in the observance of the National Dental Health Month through the NCDHM Celebration in consonance with the annual theme, programs and activities, and to appropriate funds therefor;

Relative to this, all agencies concerned are hereby enjoined to conduct seminars, symposia, lectures, and other activities designed to increase oral health awareness in the community.

SECTION 6. LEAD GOVERNMENT AGENCY – The City Health Office, particularly the Dental Section, shall spearhead the celebration, with the assistance of Barangay Health Offices of the 27 Barangays and other relevant agencies.

SECTION 7. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE – Any provision or portion of this ordinance found to be violative of the constitution or invalid shall not impair the other provisions or parts thereof which shall continue to be in force and in effect.

SECTION 8. REPEALING CLAUSE – All ordinances, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent or in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance, are hereby repealed, amended and/or modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. EFFECTIVITY – This ordinance shall take effect upon its approval and after publication in a newspaper of local circulation.

ENACTED: September 10, 2019

WE HEREBY CERTIFY to the correctness of the foregoing ordinance.

GIL A. DE LA TORRE
Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod

CECELIA B. VELUZ-DE ASIS
Acting City Vice Mayor & Presiding Officer

APPROVED:

NELSON S. LEGACION
City Mayor