Fines set for hard-headed moma chewers

KABAYAN, Benguet – Several legislative councils in Cordillera region banned the spitting of ‘moma’ in public places; but despite this, some Cordillerans still chew and spit their ‘moma’ anywhere. The Council here has taken the challenge to discipline their constituents by providing stiffer penalties.

The Council, presided by Vice Mayor Lonecio Tampoc, passed Ordinance 55 series of 2013, which aims to regulate the disposal of ‘moma’ spittle or refuse. It also provides penalties to violators. The new order is known as ‘moma’ ordinance of Kabayan.

The ordinance mandates every person chewing ‘moma’ whether regular or occasional to dispose properly their spittle by carrying a spittoon (container). The containers can only be emptied in proper places.

Once a person indiscriminately spits in public places, he will face penalties. He will be fined with P1,000 as his first offense, and P1,500 charge for second offense. But once he violated the ordinance for three times, he will be fined with P2,500 or be imprisoned of not more than six months or both. The third offense penalty severity will be determined by the hearing court.

Moma’ is a mixture of betel nut, ‘gawed’, lime, tobacco, and other ingredients for chewing. The chewed mixture produces reddish spit.

Many believe the Ifugaos were the first tribe in Cordillera who started chewing ‘moma’. However, some tribes were also chewing ‘moma’ during the early times like the Kankana–ey and Ibalois.

At present, most of the people attribute persons chewing ‘moma’ as Ifugaos; the ‘moma’ chewers of the region. With this kind of belief, Ifugaos are usually being discriminated because of indiscriminately ‘painting’ public places with red spit even if the culprit is not from the tribe. (Rubyloida Bitog)

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