Businesses told to maintain sanitation in premises

City officials earnestly requested owners of bars or pub houses and other entertainment establishments in the city to regularly flush or wash off betel nut sputum and other unsanitary floor stains within their premises.

Under Resolution No. 011, series of 2023, local legislators stated that part of the Cordillera culture is the chewing of betel nut or betel leaves from a plant called areca that is why it is common for people to see a betel nut or betel leaves chewers in the city’s entertainment places.

Since pubs and bar houses are dynamic recreation places frequented by people for liquor, alcoholic beverages, and music, the council disclosed that their floors, walls and premises must be free from splashes of betel nut spits and that owners and proprietors keep it in a sanitary, healthy and hygienic condition for the protection of their customers, patrons and the general public from catching any illness which can be done by means of regular or daily flushing or washing of the floors and the entire premises.

During the Scout Official For-A-Day (SOFAD) session held on November 7, 2022, the SOFAD Council adopted the proposal of SOFAD Councilor Tiffany Martheanne M. Fonite that earnestly requested the owners of bars, pub houses and other entertainment establishments to daily flushing or washing of betel nut sputum and other unsanitary floor stains within their premises.

Ordinance No. 35, series of 2020 prohibits the chewing and/or spitting betel quid or moma in plain view in all places that are accessible or open to the public or places for collective use regardless of ownership or right access, including but not limited to, schools, workplaces, government facilities, establishments that provide food and drinks, accommodation merchandise, professional services, entertainment or other services.

The said ordinance imposes appropriate penalties such as a fine or community or imprisonment not exceeding 3 months, or both at the discretion of the court to violators. – Dexter A. See