A public high school in Barangay Bantayan in Mangaldan is asking the local government to stop stores nearby from selling cigarettes and alcohol to students, following reports that some shop owners have been doing it secretly.

Mangaldan Integrated School recently sent a formal memo to the Barangay Council of Bantayan, urging them to ban these sales and shut down known “smoking areas” where minors gather.

“Napansin po naming na sila ay naninigarilyo at ang suspected namin na nagtitinda ay ‘yung mga nasa labas ng vicinity walls ng school,” Raiel Bianan, president of the school’s Barkada Kontra Droga (BKD), said.

“Since sa labas ng school, wala tayong jurisdiction sa kanila, that is why I am asking for the cooperation of our Barangay Council para ma-eliminate itong ganitong problem,” Bianan added.

Principal Leo Blaquir said the school has ongoing efforts to raise awareness and monitor students during class hours.

“Siyempre iri-raise namin ‘yung awareness na bawal ‘yung mga kabataan o minors na bibili ng ganyan [ng sigarilyo at alak] due to health issues,” he said.

He added that school staff check the attendance of students regularly to ensure students are in class and not loitering near stores.

“During school hours, hindi pinapayagan ‘yung mga bata na mag-istambay sa mga tindahan. Tsini-check namin parati ‘yung mga attendance kung present sila sa ganitong subject at kung nasaan sila,” he said.

The Barangay Council has responded to the school’s call.

“Kakausapin po lahat ng sari-sari store owners lalo ‘yung mga malapit sa school na bawal magbenta talaga,” Morris Manaois, Secretary of Barangay Bantayan, said.

“Sasabihan na rin natin sila tapos kailangan nilang tumalima na bawal talaga magbenta sa minors,” Manaois added.