Betel woes: Barangay suspends ‘freedom of spit’

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — While betel nut chewing is a long tradition in Benguet, officials of one village in Buguias town have had enough of the spitting that goes with it, and have passed an ordinance that bans and penalizes the practice.

Officials of Barangay Abatan decided to pass the ordinance amid numerous complaints of grounds littered and stained with reddish sputum from chewing betel nut, locally known as “nganga” or “momma.”

The officials stressed that spitting betel juice is both unsanitary and unpleasing especially in public places.

Once reviewed and approved by the Buguias municipal council, the ordinance sets a fine of P500 on first-time offenders, P750 for a second offense and P1,000 for a third offense.

Previously, the towns of Kiangan, Lagawe and Lamut in Ifugao also implemented a similar ordinance.

In this city, betel nut chewing is already banned in public, except during cultural occasions.