Filipino town decides collecting trash as punishment for spreading rumors

Banning gossip is our way of improving the quality of life in our town,Mayor Guico said.

BINALONAN (Dunya News) – The local government in Binalonan, a small town about 200 kilometres north of Manila, has banned gossiping under a law to stop rumors from spreading. In Moreno, neighbourhood of Binalonan, several locals have been fined 500 pesos ($10) and forced to collect afternoon trash as punishment for gossiping in public. “It’s such a waste of time,” Mayor Guico said. “You’d think people would have something better to do. Banning gossip is our way of improving the quality of life in our town.” “This ordinance is to remind people that everything that we say is our responsibility as individuals and as residents of this municipality. We want to show other towns that Binalonan has good people; it is a good and safe place to stay,” Ramon Guico said.