Baguio imposes anti-'momma' ordinance
Published Mar 22, 2020 12:00 am
By Zaldy Comanda
BAGUIO CITY – The chewing and spitting of betel nut in public places, and selling of “momma” products to minors in the city has been ordered prohibited under an ordinance passed by city government officials.
MOMMA UNDER REGULATION -Chewing, spitting of betel nut in public places and selling of ‘momma’ products to minors in the city is now prohibited under the approved ordinance passed by the Baguio City officials. (Photo by Zaldy Comanda / MANILA BULLETIN)
City Councilor Joel Alangsab, who authored the new ordinance, said it shall be unlawful for any person to chew or spit betel quid or “momma” in a private or public utility vehicle, government-owned vehicle or any other means of public transport for passengers, accommodation and entertainment establishment, public building and any public place.
“We know ‘momma’ is the habit of many people in Cordillera. We are not directly against the momma, we want to regulate the people in proper ways to use it,” Alansab said.
Momma also refers to the mixture of betel nut, leaf, lime powder and tobacco that natives of Cordillera chew and spit.
Alangsab clarified that the ordinance will not prohibit people from chewing/spitting “moma” in their privacy of their houses. “A person can chew and spit anywhere in his private abode,” he said.
However, chewing or spitting betel quid in plain view of the public during indigenous gatherings shall not be prohibited, provided that, pertinent rules and regulations will be followed to maintain cleanliness and sanitation of the place.
Among the prescribed rules include prohibition on the chewing of momma without the required spittoon; no emptying, draining or scattering of spit or contents of the spittoon; and no throwing, dumping or leaving of used spittoon in the venue of the gathering, except in authorized places.
Any person or entity who commits any of the prohibited acts shall be penalized with a fine of P500 or four hours of community service for the first offense; a fine of P1,000 or six hours of community service for the second offense; and a fine of P2,000 or eight hours of community service or imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months or both at the discretion of the court. It also entails the suspension or revocation of business license or permit in case of a business entity or establishment if applicable for the third and succeeding offenses.
MOMMA UNDER REGULATION -Chewing, spitting of betel nut in public places and selling of ‘momma’ products to minors in the city is now prohibited under the approved ordinance passed by the Baguio City officials. (Photo by Zaldy Comanda / MANILA BULLETIN)
City Councilor Joel Alangsab, who authored the new ordinance, said it shall be unlawful for any person to chew or spit betel quid or “momma” in a private or public utility vehicle, government-owned vehicle or any other means of public transport for passengers, accommodation and entertainment establishment, public building and any public place.
“We know ‘momma’ is the habit of many people in Cordillera. We are not directly against the momma, we want to regulate the people in proper ways to use it,” Alansab said.
Momma also refers to the mixture of betel nut, leaf, lime powder and tobacco that natives of Cordillera chew and spit.
Alangsab clarified that the ordinance will not prohibit people from chewing/spitting “moma” in their privacy of their houses. “A person can chew and spit anywhere in his private abode,” he said.
However, chewing or spitting betel quid in plain view of the public during indigenous gatherings shall not be prohibited, provided that, pertinent rules and regulations will be followed to maintain cleanliness and sanitation of the place.
Among the prescribed rules include prohibition on the chewing of momma without the required spittoon; no emptying, draining or scattering of spit or contents of the spittoon; and no throwing, dumping or leaving of used spittoon in the venue of the gathering, except in authorized places.
Any person or entity who commits any of the prohibited acts shall be penalized with a fine of P500 or four hours of community service for the first offense; a fine of P1,000 or six hours of community service for the second offense; and a fine of P2,000 or eight hours of community service or imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months or both at the discretion of the court. It also entails the suspension or revocation of business license or permit in case of a business entity or establishment if applicable for the third and succeeding offenses.