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Say Goodbye to Chewing Moma in Baguio’s Public Places

Mayor Benjamin Magalong has just signed an ordinance regulating the chewing and/or spitting of betel quid or moma in public places and selling of moma products to minors in the City of Baguio. This is to promote responsible chewing of moma for public health and cleanliness.


 

What is Moma?

Moma is also called betel quid and generally consists of betel nut, slaked lime “apog” and betel leaf or “Gaw-wed” and may also include tabaco, pandan leaves, ginger etc.

Coverage

According to Ordinance No. 35 series of 2020, it shall be unlawful for any person to chew and/or spit betel quid or moma in:

  • 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 areas


Prohibited Acts

  1. Chewing and/or spitting betel quid or moma in plain view in public places;
  2. Knowingly allowing, abetting, or tolerating chewing and/or spitting betel quid or moma in accommodation establishments, whether tourism-accredited or not;
  3. Chewing and/or spitting betel quid or moma while inside a public utility vehicle whether moving or stationary or while waiting for passengers
  4. 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;
  5. Throwing, dumping, or leaving of used spittoon in public places, roads, streets, alleys, lagoons, rivers, canals, and the like except in authorized places;
  6. 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; and
  7. Selling of moma to minors

Penalties for Violators

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

Duties and Obligations of Persons-in-charge

Persons-in-charge shall:

  1. Post and display a “No Chewing and/or Spitting Moma” signage, in conspicuous areas or locations most visible to the public in the areas where chewing and/or spitting moma is prohibited. The signage must be posted at the entrance area, which shall be at least 8×11 inches in size; and
  2. Post and display a “No Chewing and/or Spitting Moma” signage in most conspicuous location within public utility vehicle. A three and a half (3 ½) inches square “ No Chewing and/or Spitting Moma” signage shall be placed at the driver’s back seat.

Penalties for Non-Compliant Persons-in-Charge

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

Exemptions

Chewing and/or spitting betel quid or moma in plain view in public places during indigenous people’s gathering shall not be prohibited, provided that the following shall be strictly observed to maintain the cleanliness and sanitation of the place:

  1. No chewing of moma without the required spittoon;
  2. No emptying, draining, or scattering of spittle or contents of the spittoon and
  3. No throwing, dumping or leaving of used spittoon in the venue of the gathering except in authorized places.

SOURCE: PIO-Baguio

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