Cebu City Enacts New Ordinance to Enhance Public Decency Standards

CEBU City has passed a new ordinance aimed at enforcing stricter public attire regulations to foster a respectful and family-oriented environment. On November 26, 2025, the City Council approved the "Public Decency and Attire Ordinance of the City of Cebu" during its third and final reading. Authored by Councilor Sisinio Andales, the measure sets penalties for displaying indecent or half-naked appearances in public spaces, with sanctions escalating from warnings to fines and mandatory community service for repeat violations.

The ordinance applies to a wide range of public locations, including parks, streets, plazas, markets, terminals, malls, commercial establishments, and government offices. Prohibited behaviors encompass exposing the upper torso, wearing underwear visibly in public, or donning see-through clothing that reveals intimate areas.

Councilor Andales noted during a session on November 25 that the legislation was initiated following a directive from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) during an executive briefing held on July 7, 2025. The ordinance emphasizes rehabilitation and education alongside penalties, integrating seminars and counseling into its enforcement framework.

The prescribed penalties are as follows:

• First Offense: Verbal warning, mandatory orientation at the barangay hall, and a written reprimand.
• Second Offense: Required attendance at a gender sensitivity and public decency seminar.
• Third Offense: Imposition of a fine amounting to ₱1,000.
• Fourth and Subsequent Offenses: Fine of ₱3,000 coupled with referral for behavioral counseling.

Failure to comply with seminar attendance or counseling may lead to administrative and criminal charges, carrying a maximum fine of ₱5,000 or imprisonment for up to one year.

Exceptions to the ordinance include private areas not visible to the public, cultural or religious performances, official sports events, work-related uniforms, medical emergencies, breastfeeding, and authorized venues like beaches and swimming pools.

Enforcement responsibilities will be shared among the Cebu City Police Office, the Anti-Indecency Board, and deputized barangay personnel, with the City Legal Office handling dispute resolution and appeals. The new regulations will become effective 15 days after the ordinance's publication.