Cursing, saying foul words can land you in trouble in Baguio City

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An anti-profanity ordinance has been approved by Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan, which prohibits cursing, cussing and expressing insults in selected institutions frequented by minors and students in the city.

The ordinance, authored by Councilor Lilia Fariña, will ban cursing and expressing insults using indecent and profound languages in schools, computer shops, arcades, and other business establishments frequented by children, high school, and college students in Baguio.

READ: antiprofanity ordinance in PDF format

“Nowadays, it is observed that cursing has become a normal practice that even the children seem to have already accepted the habit as customary in our society, oblivious of the repercussions that it may result to,” the ordinance explained.

The ordinance noted that the habit of cursing has “already penetrated schools and educational system, business establishments and society as a whole, that even the very fabric of morals and human decency has deteriorated to such a degree that we have to prevent it before the damage would become irreparable.”

The ordinance defined profanity as a “blasphemous or obscene language vulgar or irreverent speech or action; expletive oath, swearing, cursing, or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger.”

It also said that there was a need of a legislation that will help in the preservation of morals among Filipino youth.

Schools in all levels including those that offer technical and vocational education and training are instructed to comply with city ordinance.

The ordinance tasked schools “to provide the necessary penalties, graduated accordingly to the extent they may deem necessary.”

School administrators and teachers are also encouraged to create signs with the words: Cursing is NOT allowed or “Bawal Magmura,” that will prohibit cursing, cussing and expressing insults using foul language “whether directly or indirectly to anyone.”

In violation of the ordinance, students may be subjected to expulsion.

However, the penalty of expulsion will be under the school’s prerogative. /jpv