Baguio City News

Baguio Mayor Orders to Intensify Campaign Against Moma Chewing in Public Areas



The Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) and the Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) were ordered by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong to intensify the campaign against chewing and spitting of Moma or betel quid in public places to ensure the public’s health and safety amidst the pandemic.

 “No chewing and spitting of betel quid or “moma” in plain view in public places.”
-PIO-City of Baguio on Facebook

Anti-Moma Ordinance

The City Ordinance No. 35, Series of 2020 or the Anti-Moma Ordinance which was signed by the Baguio mayor last March 2020 is “Regulating the chewing, spitting of betel quid or moma in public places, and selling of moma products to minors in the City of Baguio, imposing penalties for violations thereof and providing funds therefor and for other purposes.”

The city ordinance prohibits the chewing and spitting of Moma or betel quid in the following areas:

  • Private or public utility vehicle, Government-owned vehicle, or any other means of public transport for passengers
  • Accommodation and entertainment establishments
    • Refer to as restaurants, fast foods, eateries, hotels, motels, lodges, inns, boarding houses, disco-houses, videoke bars, and movie houses, or any other place with pleasant environment and atmosphere conducive to comfort, healthful relaxation, and rest, offering food, sleeping accommodation, and recreational facilities to the public for a fee.

  • Public building or any other public place
    • Schools
    • Workplaces
    • Government Facilities
    • Establishments that provide food and drinks, accommodation, merchandise, professional services, entertainment, or other services
    • Outdoor spaces such as but not limited to playgrounds, sports grounds or centers, church grounds, health/hospital compounds, transportation terminals, parking areas, markets, parks, resorts, walkways/sidewalks, entrance ways, waiting area

Also, as stated in the ordinance, the following acts are prohibited:

  • Chewing and/or spitting betel quid or moma in plain view in public places.
  • Knowingly allowing, abetting, or tolerating chewing and/or spitting betel quid or moma in accommodation establishments, whether tourism-accredited or not.
  • Chewing and/or spitting betel quid or moma while inside a public utility vehicle whether moving or stationary or while waiting for passengers.
  • Chewing and/or spitting betel quid or moma in plain view while inside a private vehicle whether. moving or stationary or while the vehicle is waiting in a public place or road without the required spittoon.
  • Throwing, dumping, or leaving of used spittoon in public places, roads, streets, alleys, lagoons, rivers, canals, and the like except in authorized places.
  • Emptying, draining, or scattering the spittle or contents of the spittoon in public places, roads, streets, alleys, lagoons, rivers, canals, and the like except in the garbage pit.
  • Selling of moma to minors.

Furthermore, any person  violating the city’s anti-moma ordinance shall pay the following fees:
  • First Offense: Php 500.00 or four (4) hours of community service.
  • Second Offense: Php 1,000.00 or six (6) hours of community service.
  • Third and Subsequent Offenses: Php 2,000.00 or eight (8) hours of community service or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 3 months, or both at the discretion of the court. Suspension or revocation of business license of permit (in case of a business entity or establishment), if applicable.

In addition, it was stated in the PIO-Baguio post that violators will be issued citation ticket/s which shall be paid at the City Treasury Office within five working days from issuance, or render community service.
Check out the full details of the Anti-Moma Ordinance HERE.

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