Fines, prison set for Baguio City ‘momma’ users

By Jessa P. Samidan

BAGUIO CITY – No chewing and spitting of betel quid or “moma” in plain view in public places of this tourism resort..Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong ordered the Baguio City Police Office and Public Order and Safety Division to intensify campaign against chewing and spitting of moma in public places to ensure public health and safety amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.
    City Ordinance 35-2020 prohibits chewing and spitting of moma in public places, public utility or private vehicles without required spittoon.

The ordinance also prohibits accommodation establishments from allowing or tolerating the chewing or spitting of moma whether tourism-accredited or not.

Also prohibited are throwing, dumping or leaving of used spittoon in public places, roads, streets, alleys, lagoons, rivers, canals and the like except in authorized places and, emptying, draining or scattering the spittle in or contents of the spittoon in public places, roads, streets, alleys, lagoons, rivers, canals  except in garbage pit.

Selling of moma to minors is prohibited per section 4 of the said city ordinance.

Meanwhile, chewing or spitting of moma in plain view in public places during indigenous people’s gathering are given consideration, provided cleanliness and sanitation are maintained particularly: no chewing of moma without the required spittoon.

Any person or entity violating the city ordinance shall pay fees as follows: first offense – P500 or four hours of community service; second offense – P1,000 or six hours of community service and third – 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, suspension or revocation of business license or permit in case of a business entity or establishment, if applicable.

Violators will be issued citation tickets which shall be paid at the City Treasury Office within five working days from issuance, or render community service.