The Anti-Spitting Ordinance of Magsaysay, Davao del Sur
By: Alfredo G. Baula Jr.
This ordinance shall be known as:
“Stop the Spit! Stop the Spread of Infection! Act of Magsaysay”
The anti-spitting ordinance prohibits every person from spitting all kinds of body fluids
in public areas. If anyone caught spitting out in public, he or she shall be fined with a
corresponding amount of money and community contribution depending on the severity of the
occurrences of offenses. This ordinance will be implemented firstly with education to all people
through posters and symposiums with the support of the Rural Health Unit and the Sangguniang
Kabataan Federation. This ordinance is not limited to public places but also government and
private establishments such as schools, markets, and offices. Finally, all people coming to the
RHU with predisposing signs and symptoms of Tuberculosis and other highly infectious disease
or condition should be screened directly and advised of this ordinance.
Section 1. Definition
Spitting is the expectoration of body fluids from the oral cavity to the environment or is the act
of expelling an accumulated body fluid from the oral mucosa into the ground. It is deviance of
social etiquette, which all people should avoid. This act is harmful to the people as it proliferates
the spread of microorganisms and, therefore, the spread of infection.
Section 2. Terms
Anyone caught spitting in public shall be recorded by a peace officer, appointed by the LGU
which is responsible for monitoring the occurrence of spitting in public and as well as smoking
in public. The following shall be fined accordingly:
1ST OFFENSE FINE PHP 100.00 and Symposium
2ND OFFENSE FINE PHP 200.00 and Symposium
3RD OFFENSE FINE PHP 300.00 and Symposium
4TH OFFENSE COMMUNTITY SERVICE 1 HOUR CLEANING
5TH OFFENSE COMMUNITY SERVICE 3 HOURS CLEANING
FINAL OFFENSE Incarceration Imprisonment of not less than
six months. Bail of 10,000.00
Section 3. Provisions
If anyone caught of spitting in public, he/she will be asked by the peace officer
- If a person has a productive cough, he or she will be asked if he/she has a medication
for it, if none, then he will be brought to the health center. If he/she is aware of
his/her condition they will be fined immediately and recorded as first offense.
- If a person is not aware of the ordinance and still caught spitting in public places, they
will still be fines and must attend the symposium.
- An officer will ask for a valid Identification Card for the fines and recording of the
offenses.
- Given that people won’t attend the symposium, their record will be sent directly to
the municipality and whenever they need access to services of the municipality, they
should attend first the symposium.
- If a person is under and emergency situation, he/she would not be fined given that
he/she is like nauseous, vomiting, and the like.
Section 4. Implementation
This ordinance will be implemented via information dissemination and educational
symposiums. First, in coordination with RHU and Sangguiniang Kabataan, they will do an
annual symposium about the anti-spitting policy especially to the most active members of the
community, ages from 18 – 25 years old. After the symposium, this program will be maintained
actively when the implementation for the ordinance will start. An anti-spitting committee will be
made to coordinate the implementation of the ordinance. Second, the LGU should provide
signages that will inform the public about ordinance together with the fines for the offenses.
