San Juan passes anti-spitting ordinance
Spitting in public will soon be a punishable offense in San Juan City.
Mayor Francis Zamora said he approved City Ordinance No. 62, Series of 2020 or the “Anti-Spitting Ordinance of 2020” as part of the city’s efforts to prevent the further spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Zamora said the ordinance also aims “to bring down the number of people infected with COVID-19” in the city.
Under the measure, spitting of saliva or sputum and nose-blowing in roads, parks, malls, public markets, public transportations, transport terminals, public offices, commercial establishments, schools, churches, hospitals, and other public places will be prohibited.
The local government said the measure also forbids indiscriminate sneezing without proper protection while in public areas.
“Ang pagbahing at iba pang kaparehing akto na hindi sinasadya ngunit walang sapat at maayos na proteksyon gaya ng face mask at face shield ay mahigpit ding ipinagbabawal (Sneezing and other unintentional acts but without adequate and proper protection such as face masks and face shields are also strictly prohibited),” the city government said in an advisory.
“Ang iba pang marurumi at mapanganib sa kalusugan na gawain gaya ng pag-ihi, pagsuka at pagdumi sa mga pampublikong lugar sa Lungsod ng San Juan ay mahigpit ding ipinagbabawal (Other unsanitary and hazardous health activities such as urination, vomiting and defecation in public places in San Juan City are also strictly prohibited),” it added.
Zamora said Thursday enforcers in charge of implementing the ordinance will be wearing body cameras so violators cannot deny their violation.
“The body cams, which we have procured already, will help in the enforcement,” he said, adding that video footages taken with the body cameras will be used as proof in case individuals have denied committing the violation.
The ordinance will take effect 15 days after publication.
Violators of the ordinance will be slapped with a fine of P500 for the first offense and P2,000 for the second offense.
For the third offense, violators will be given a P5,000 fine and will be required to attend a health seminar conducted by the City Health Office.
San Juan City is the latest local government unit in Metro Manila to ban spitting in public places in an effort to stop the spread of the disease in their localities.