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Sunday, February 24, 2008
Law against spitting gains ground in Lagawe
LAGAWE, Ifugao -- The "freedom of spit" cost 98 people P50 each.
Implementing a local ordinance against the wanton spitting of "moma" was the reason why the 98 individuals were forced to pay the hefty fine in the capital town of Lagawe even as more and more residents are complying with the ordinance.
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The implementation of Ordinance 90 also known as the "Moma" Ordinance enacted by the Municipal Council here in October 2007 is finally gaining ground with the people complying with its rules and regulations.
The ordinance, which was implemented last December after its approval by the Ifugao Provincial Board, prohibits the indiscriminate and wanton spitting of people after chewing betel nut or "moma" in the Ifugao dialect.
Chewing moma includes ingredients such as betel nut, betel leaf or areca, a white powder or lime made by burning edible shells and for others they add dried tobacco leaf for better taste and effect.
The chewing of moma produces red spittle which when expelled from the mouth and splattered around will stain anything it comes in contact with creating an ugly sight to the environment.
Moma chewing has been a part of the culture of the Ifugaos which is claimed to be very important in establishing closer social relations among the people but as years go by more and more people became addicted that the indiscriminate and uncontrolled spitting is already causing a problem to the clean, green and sanitation programs of the entire province.
Prior to this municipal ordinance, there was a provincial ordinance, which supposedly regulates the chewing, and spitting of moma but which was never implemented and adopted by the various municipalities of Ifugao.
It was only the capital town of Lagawe which dared to adopt the provincial ordinance and pioneered its implementation upon observing the menace and nuisance posed by the indiscriminate spitting of betel nut chewers to its clean and green and sanitation projects.
Many avid betel nut chewers justify it is a better vice than smoking because it also strengthens the teeth, gives better appetite, provides good income to those supplying the ingredients but most of all it is also a good aphrodisiac for both men and women.
In fact, many people doubted the successful implementation of the ordinance since they believe it is very difficult to stop or regulate a habit practiced by the people since time immemorial without restraint or interference to their "absolute freedom of spit."
Lagawe Mayor Ceasario Cabbigat Jr. was undaunted to pursue its implementation with his vision to achieve a clean, green, healthy and developed community, which is at his helm.
He said the implementation was really difficult because you will hurt the ego of many people but it is worth the challenge for at the end they will find the ordinance is good for the community and can serve as an example for the other municipalities.
Since its implementation, Cabbigat proved his critics wrong when people are now obeying the ordinance and you can no longer easily see a red stain splattered anywhere in the center town.
Asked how he accomplished this task, Cabbigat said he began with a massive information campaign and the posting of the ordinance in all the conspicuous places of the community to inform the people about it.
He also utilized the opportunity in every meeting or gathering to announce and disseminate the ordinance and in addition provided containers and other spittoons in the public places, waiting areas and along the road where moma chewers can dispose their excretion and for the violators the corresponding penalty.
At first, many people were defiant but sooner with the help of police people came to realize and cooperated with the law, which gave the signal to everyone to also obey the law.(DC/PIA)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star General Santos. (February 24, 2008 issue)
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