No more ‘freedom of spit’ in Baguio

Under this ordinance, it will be unlawful for any person to chew and spit betel quid or moma in public places

BAGUIO CITY — After the passage of the smoke-free ordinance that restricts cigarette smoking and selling, the Baguio City Council is seeking for the prohibition of selling and chewing of moma or nganga, or betel nut mixed with lime and leaves called gawed in certain places in the city.

The “Anti-Moma Ordinance of Baguio City,” which was as authored by Councilor Joel Alangsab, will be further studied by the Committee on Health and Sanitation, Ecology and Environmental Protection for recommendation and enactment. Under this ordinance, it will be unlawful for any person to chew and spit betel quid or moma in public places such as public utility vehicles, government-owned vehicles, or any other means of public transport for passengers, in accommodation and entertainment establishments and buildings. Alangsab clarified that the selling of betel nuts to adults will not be prohibited as the city understands the need for betel nut sellers or vendors to earn a living. He said the vendors will be required to inform their buyers of the prohibitions against chewing moma and spitting its quid.

Betel nut chewing is common to most indigenous peoples of the Cordillera and any places in the country.

Any person who commits the prohibited acts as specified in the ordinance will pay a fine of P1,000 for the first offense, P2,000 for the second offense and P3,000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months or both at the discretion of the court, suspension, or revocation of business permit (in case of a business entity or establishment) if applicable for third and subsequent offenses.

An Anti-Moma Task Force will be formed to implement and enforce the ordinance and will also conduct educational campaigns, information dissemination programs and capacity building programs to apprise constituents and train enforcement officers.

The same task force will prepare the Implementing Rules and Regulations to be submitted to the Sangguniang Panlungsod for approval.

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