Muntinlupa outlaws spitting, dumping of PPEs in public places
Published Apr 15, 2020 12:00 am
By Jonathan Hicap
The Muntinlupa City government has banned spitting as well as dumping of used personal protective equipment (PPE) in public places as an added measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi (standing left) presides over a meeting together with Muntinlupa Police chief Col. Hermogenes Cabe, barangay chairmen and COVID-19 Task Force regarding the strict implementation of physical distancing and movement of people outside their homes. (Photo courtesy of Muntinlupa PIO)
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi has signed City Ordinance 2010-089, or the Anti-Spitting and Anti-Littering Ordinance of 2020, which was passed by the City Council.
“Since COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through contact or respiratory droplets which can last for a few days on surfaces, we are passing an ordinance penalizing hazardous societal habits that are considered as public nuisances and potentially exposes other persons to COVID-19,” said Fresnedi.
Under the ordinance, violators will be apprehended and face a fine of P5,000 and up to six months imprisonment if they are caught intentionally or carelessly spitting mucus, saliva, phlegm, or other substances from the mouth and openly sneezing out nasal mucus in public places such as city streets, alleys, sidewalks, parks, grocery stores, markets, and terminals.
In addition, anyone who disposes of PPEs and defecating and excreting bodily wastes or urinating in public places will also be penalized.
The city government has encouraged the public to document violations through photographs or video recording to be used exclusively for reporting purposes to public authorities that will become the basis of an action or complaint.
Muntinlupa has several ordinances approved and signed in order to curb the spread of COVID-19. Among these are the mandatory wearing of face masks and observing of physical distancing at all times and 24-hour curfew.
As of April 14, there are 98 positive COVID-19 cases in Muntinlupa including 15 deaths and 14 recovered cases. Muntinlupa has started its targeted COVID-19 mass testing on April 13 with persons under investigation (PUI). It has partnered with the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) for the processing of samples, which will be processed in three to four days.
Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi (standing left) presides over a meeting together with Muntinlupa Police chief Col. Hermogenes Cabe, barangay chairmen and COVID-19 Task Force regarding the strict implementation of physical distancing and movement of people outside their homes. (Photo courtesy of Muntinlupa PIO)
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi has signed City Ordinance 2010-089, or the Anti-Spitting and Anti-Littering Ordinance of 2020, which was passed by the City Council.
“Since COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through contact or respiratory droplets which can last for a few days on surfaces, we are passing an ordinance penalizing hazardous societal habits that are considered as public nuisances and potentially exposes other persons to COVID-19,” said Fresnedi.
Under the ordinance, violators will be apprehended and face a fine of P5,000 and up to six months imprisonment if they are caught intentionally or carelessly spitting mucus, saliva, phlegm, or other substances from the mouth and openly sneezing out nasal mucus in public places such as city streets, alleys, sidewalks, parks, grocery stores, markets, and terminals.
In addition, anyone who disposes of PPEs and defecating and excreting bodily wastes or urinating in public places will also be penalized.
The city government has encouraged the public to document violations through photographs or video recording to be used exclusively for reporting purposes to public authorities that will become the basis of an action or complaint.
Muntinlupa has several ordinances approved and signed in order to curb the spread of COVID-19. Among these are the mandatory wearing of face masks and observing of physical distancing at all times and 24-hour curfew.
As of April 14, there are 98 positive COVID-19 cases in Muntinlupa including 15 deaths and 14 recovered cases. Muntinlupa has started its targeted COVID-19 mass testing on April 13 with persons under investigation (PUI). It has partnered with the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) for the processing of samples, which will be processed in three to four days.