No vomiting, spitting, peeing in San Juan

MANILA, Philippines - The San Juan City council has approved an ordinance imposing a fine and 30-day stay in jail for those caught urinating, vomiting and spiting in public places.

Under the ordinance, approved on Oct. 7, first-time offenders will be fined P500 while those who violate the ordinance for the second time will be meted a 30-day jail term, Councilor Rolando Bernardo said yesterday. He is the ordinance’s principal author.

“It has been observed that many of our constituents practice the unsanitary and unhealthy habits of urinating, vomiting and spiting at public places,” he said, adding that these habits threaten the health of residents, particularly children.

Bernardo said the chairpersons of barangay committees on health and discipline have the authority to apprehend violators of the ordinance.

The San Juan City council earlier approved Ordinance 8, which prohibits people from being “topless or half-naked” in public.

Under Ordinance 8, also principally authored by Bernardo, first-time offenders are given a warning. Those who commit a second violation are given a choice between paying a P300 fine or doing eight hours of community service.

Those who violate the ordinance for a third time are meted three to five days in jail.