Cebu City will now enforce a stricter dress code in public spaces to promote a more respectful and family-friendly environment. The City Council approved the “Public Decency and Attire Ordinance of the City of Cebu” took effect last November 26, 2025. The law targets individuals appearing half-naked or indecently exposed in public areas.
Areas Covered by the Ordinance
The ordinance applies to public parks, streets, plazas, markets, terminals, malls, government offices, and other public spaces. It prohibits exposure of the upper torso, wearing underwear in public, or the use of sheer clothing that reveals intimate areas.
Penalties for Violators
Violators face a progressive penalty system. A first offense results in a verbal warning, mandatory orientation at the local barangay, and a written reprimand. A second offense requires participation in a public decency seminar. A third offense carries a fine of P1,000, while the fourth and subsequent offenses result in a fine of P3,000 and referral for behavioral counseling.
Additional Consequences
Refusing to attend seminars or counseling may lead to administrative and criminal charges. Maximum penalties include a fine of P5,000 or imprisonment of up to one year. Enforcement is intended to educate as well as correct behavior.
Exemptions and Special Cases
The ordinance does not apply to private areas, religious or cultural performances, official sports events, work-related attire, medical emergencies, breastfeeding, or designated venues like beaches and swimming pools.
Enforcement Agencies
The Cebu City Police Office, the Anti-Indecency Board, and deputized barangay teams are responsible for enforcing the law. The City Legal Office will handle disputes and appeals.
This ordinance is unconstitutional and violates the bill of rights, that much is non-negotiable. For government officials to be so incompetent as to let this ordinance pass is very telling of where their heart lies. And to add, pre-colonial cebuanos wore what types of clothing?
I think that’s a terrible, unthinkable rule to enforce. what about people like me who have a high metablizem and soak my clothing in the heat and humidity. I put my shirt or t shirt on in stores or malls. I believe that I’m not going to come to Cebu anymore for vacation when they have ordinances like these in place, to me it’s a terrible idea, makes no sense to someone who’s not use to this heat and humidity! This is going to be my last trip to Cebu and I’ve been here more than 8 times. This to me is a crazy idea and I can’t believe they’d push away tourism with something as insane as this ordinance! All I can say is goodbye Cebu, I won’t be back and sorry i came this time.
For me, I agree sa maong ordinansa 🥰 as Cebuana labihan kadaghan sa mga halos mura nag maghukas sa dalan. Mas maau mag dress perme. More respectful and safe pd sa mga mata sa mga lalaki KY sahay Ning laki makasala because sa sinul oban sa mga babae. Not generally but mao gyd osa sa pinaka dapat pd buhaton nga mas maau formal mogawas. If naa kas inyuha Kun ganahan ka papook, bisag maghukas paka ok Rana. Ayaw lng epakita publicly. Yes duna Tay freedom bisag unsay sol oton but Dili pd NATO isalikway ang Pulong sa Ginoo nga , “your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit”. Mao ng ampingan NATO ni 😊
And you’re complaining about how detailed the the penalties are? I mean??? That’s literally the point?? Penalties exist to discourage violations. Of course the punishment increases with repeated offenses. That’s how enforcement works???
All in all, I think the ordinance aims to remind everyone that public spaces come with shared expectations. While people are free to express themselves, freedom should not cross into behavior or attire that the community broadly considers inappropriate or indecent. (Kung dili indecent sa imo, dili pasabot nga dili pud indecent sa uban).
P. S I meant “below me”
I pity the ability to comprehend of those above me. Muslim? Bruh, if you’d give time to really understand the scope of the ordinance, you would find out that they are only banning (I’d dumb it down for you): no shirt/topless, bras or briefs worn as outerwear, boxers or panties worn outside one’s home as regular clothing, sheer or see-through tops (where nipples or the chest are clearly visible), transparent dresses or skirts (if this is a thing), extreme crop tops that expose the chest excessively, pekpek shorts that expose the buttocks, etc. (I ran out of ideas lmao)
Wa na gyud silay laing ma kwarta mao nalang na ilang gibuhat so sad nganu namn ni it’s literally heart breaking mura nmn nuon tag muslim ani.
I am a pure Cebuana, born in Cebu for 35 years. Before making the ordinance, have you asked or consulted the public or the citizens of cebu. So far, nobody has exposed their body parts in public places , there are many who wear crop tops but not in a lewd way. Who made this ordinance , is it a Muslim person or a mormon who made it in office? If this has got to do religion , then it is void. We are not a communist country. Everyone can wear whatever they want, Cebuanos know what to wear in public, nakaminus mus mga cebuano, inana najud mi ka mini mag sout2 ug grabi ka exposed.. naka drugs nasad nang gahubo.. and look inyung ordinance grabi ka detailed parte sa Penalty..hahaha ..wa najuy lain kakwartahan. My God. Okay ra ta Philippines. maypa maghimu mug ordinance para sa Mga Government Employees na tapulan ug langayan