Metro Manila authority tells men to keep their shirts on

Manila: The Metro Manila Development Authority launched a renewed urbanity drive recently as authorities rounded up dozens of male residents roaming public places half naked.

The campaign, one of several carried out periodically in various suburbs, netted dozens of offenders who were detained for several hours as authorities withheld charging them with violating a Metro-wide ordinance prohibiting men from walking in public without any form of garment to cover their bodies.

Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando walked the side streets of the country's premier business district Tuesday and saw for himself the residents' compliance.

Fernando found several residents outside their homes and without their shirts on. He lectured the men about the metropolitan ordinance.

At the same time, he gave them pink shirts emblazoned with the logo of the MMDA.

"Half-naked men walking around is not a pretty sight because it stings other people's sensibilities. Metro Manila residents should be decent enough to put something over their bodies," he said.

Fernando said dressing up and appearing decently is a basic rule of urban living.

Display of machismo

In the Philippines, it is not unusual for men to go around with only their shorts or trousers on especially during the summer months.

In the old days, walking in public without shirts on was regarded as a display of machismo.

However, there have been growing concerns from some quarters whose sensibilities have been offended by the sight.

The ordinance barring men from appearing in public half-naked has been in force since last year.