𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗮 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀

In a bid to strengthen the anti-moma ordinance of the municipality, mayor Roderick Awingan has requested the Sangguniang Bayan to amend the existing ordinance to give it more teeth and rid the town of those unwelcome red spits.

"While we recognize and respect moma (betel nut chewing) as a deeply rooted cultural tradition in the Cordillera, the rising concerns regarding public health, environmental sanitation and the exposure of our youth to early addiction requires more stringent regulation," Awingan said.

The mayor asked the local council to explicitly ban the chewing and spitting of moma inside all public workplaces, healthcare facilities, public vehicles (such as taxis, buses, tricycles and jeepneys) and public spaces (such as parks, plazas and commercial walkways).

Another proposal is to prohibit the sale, distribution and marketing of moma and its related ingredients like bua, gawed, lime and tobacco within a 100-meter radius from all public and private schools, playgrounds and government facilities.

He said there should also be included an absolute prohibition of selling of moma and its related ingredients to minors. The penalty provided by the ordinance, he said, must include mandatory community service for those apprehended violating the ordinance.

First time offenders must be tasked to clean public areas and the penalties for recurring violators must be made more severe, he said, including increased fines for business establishments that sell moma to minors or operate within the restricted zones.

Awingan said that the proposed amendments of Municipal Ordinance No. 04, series of 2011, are aligned closely with the provisions of the town’s Smoke-Free Ordinance as well as the national clean air and sanitation frameworks.

"They will go a long way in preventing the unsightly staining of our public walls and roads, reducing health risks associated with betel nut chewing, and keeping our school environments clean and healthy," the mayor said.

Author: 𝙊. 𝙀𝙢𝙥𝙞𝙖𝙣