Bontoc ‘’momma’ chewers spitting everywhere warned

By Alpine L. Killa

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Momma or betel nut chewers here were warned the practice causes cancer even as this capital town had imposed fines for those who spit its residue noting the unsanitary practice had stained the clean image of this town.

The municipal peace and order council during their 4th quarter meeting on Wednesday unanimously agreed that the solution to the sanitation problem should be everybody’s concern.

 This, after barangay officials of Poblacion said momma users were spitting betel nut residue along streets, meat sections and terminals of public utility vans, jeepneys and buses.

Those who chew betel nut wee warned there is an existing ordinance of the municipality prohibiting spitting of momma anywhere.

Municipal ordinance No. 125, s. 2008 prohibits spitting of momma or momma juice/ concoction /material in any place other than in his private and personal spitting receptacle which must be carried in his person and in a manner that poses no inconvenience or disapproval from other people; and disposing of any momma material or spit unsanitary sight thereat or that evokes disapproval from other people.

No establishment, residence or place shall be found having its trash receptacle or its premises tainted with traces or indications of momma material. Also, the respective owner, operator, or occupant of establishments, residences, or place of business like vehicle parking/loading areas and retail stands/stalls, shall be held fully accountable for the desirable sanitations of their respective places pursuant to the provision of the ordinance.

 Violators of this ordinance shall be fined P500 for the first offense, P750.00 for the second and P1, 000 for the 3rd and succeeding offenses.

In an interview with Bontoc Mayor Franklin Odsey who also chairs the MPOC, he remarked that the implementation of the ordinance should not only be the responsibility of the police who implements local ordinances.

He said that this should be a collaborative effort of the barangay officials, other stakeholders and the community as this is for the health and convenience of the constituents.

 Health officials advised betel nut chewers to stop the habit as they may be at risk of acquiring oral or mouth cancer.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), betel nut itself has been classified as a carcinogen (carcinogenic to humans) by the International Agency for Cancer.

Health studies reveal that people who chew betel nut with lime have an increased chance of developing mouth cancer and people who chew the mixture with tobacco have a greater risk of acquiring the disease.

 The WHO said oral cancer can develop in any part of the mouth, including the tongue, gums, the lining of the mouth, or the lips. Warning signs of oral cancer include sore spots or ulceration of lips, tongue, or other areas inside the mouth that do not heal promptly; swelling of the lips, gums or other area inside the mouth; difficulty in chewing or swallowing; repeated bleeding in the mouth with no apparent cause, and numbness or loss of feeling in any part of the mouth.

Betel nut chewers with symptoms were advised to visit their dentist for earlier intervention treatment.

The WHO promotes oral health as an effective preventive measure against oral or mouth cancer. Accordingly, brushing of teeth two to three times a day is the most effective and cost-effective way of keeping your teeth healthy.