Barangay In Pangasinan Fines Gossipers P1,000 With Their Anti-Tsismis Law

Barangay Capas in Binalonan, Pangasinan has moved to shut gossipers up with an ordinance that bans and penalizes tsismis (gossip).

Barangay Captain Danilo Tabucol Sr. told The Philstar its “anti-tsismis” ordinance has helped maintain peace and order among families, as those proven to be spreading lies are fined and required to render community service.

Tabucol said the ordinance was passed as some are accustomed to destroying the character or life of somebody by spreading wild speculations that might destroy their reputation.

“Here in the Philippines, we are aware that issues created by gossipers or intriguers cause fight among friends, relatives or neighbors,” he said.

The Village Chief said many residents are happy about this ordinance, although some people look at it differently.

Tabucol related that since the village started implementing it in October 2016, a woman rendered community service as her penalty for spreading a rumor against someone in the community.

He said the barangay conducted a three-level investigation on the complaint before imposing the penalty.

The anti-gossip regulation imposes a penalty of community service plus P300, P500 or P1,000 for the first, second and third offenses, respectively.

Tabucol said the first offender was not fined P300, but was only required to do community service to show the people Barangay Capas is serious with the ordinance.

“We gave her a chance, so she would not repeat it,” he said.

Tabucol further said that some people scoff at the unusual ordinance.

“They said it seems we have many gossipers in our barangay,” he said. “That’s okay because what’s important is we show them we implement such kind of ordinance for the good of the people.”

However, he said a Mayor of another town wants to adopt it, too.

Barangay Capas’ anti-tsismis law was based on an ordinance earlier implemented in Barangay Moreno also in this province.

Each of the village’s seven zones had a tarpaulin announcing the anti-tsismis ordinance.

Tabucol said the barangay held an assembly before passing the community ordinance, along with imposing curfew for minors.

Meanwhile, Barangay Capas is also strictly implementing an “anti-ingay” (anti-noise) ordinance for users of videoke machines, videogames or noisy motorcycles on the streets.

Tabucol said it has the same penalties as the anti-tsismis ordinance.

Videoke machines are allowed to operate only until 10 p.m., with a few hours’ extension for special occasions like weddings or birthday parties, he said.

Ordinances against smoking and consuming liquor in public are also in place, prohibiting residents from drinking liquor even in front of their houses.

Barangay Capas has a population of about 4,000 and a land area of 337 hectares.

Source: Philstar