THE Barangay Handumanan council in Bacolod City will submit again to the City Council its approved ordinance that aims to penalize a person or group of persons who are involved in “tsismis” or gossip in the community.

Ricardo Danoy Sr., village chief of Barangay Handumanan, said they are still reviewing its approved ordinance and will submit it again to the City Council for its implementation.

Danoy said some cities in other regions were already implementing the anti-tsismis ordinance.

The ordinance, approved on September 10 by the Barangay Handumanan Council, stated that the Filipino habit of gossiping has been one of the major causes of misunderstandings and fights in a community.

Gossip may result in the mutilation or humiliation of a person's personality, affecting not only the people involved but also their families by extension.

Danoy said they approved the ordinance because the act of gossiping has destroyed relationships between their constituents.

“I’m very thankful to our barangay kagawads for supporting this local law, and hopefully it will be approved by the City Council,” he said.

In September, the ordinance was forwarded to the City Council but was not approved due to some clarifications from the councilors.

“We will submit it again to the City Council with its supporting documents so that it will be implemented in Barangay Handumanan,” Danoy said.

He said the violators will be fined to do a community service, which is different from the national law.