ILOILO CITY –– The Roxas City council has passed an ordinance prohibiting men and women from going bare-breasted in public with violators punishable by fines or imprisonment.
During its regular session on Wednesday, the city council passed the “Anti-Half-Naked” ordinance, which covers public places, including roads, streets, sidewalks, parks, bridges, alleys, and overpasses.
The ordinance is part of “promoting an atmosphere of decency, propriety, and orderliness among members of its community” and visitors of the city.
Violators will be issued a warning for the first offense, P500 for the second offense, and P500 and three-hour community service for the third offense.
Succeeding offenses will be punishable with a fine or imprisonment at the discretion of courts.
Exempted from the ordinance are persons inside private premises, activities, or events with permits from the city government, emergencies, indigenous people wearing ethnic clothes, those swimming in pools, beaches, and rivers, and those engaged in athletic activities.