Thursday, June 12, 2008
Fines eyed for eateries that fail to provide free drinking water
A CEBU City legislator wants restaurants and similar establishments punished if they do not provide free water to customers.
City Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem said he will present next week a proposed ordinance which, if approved, will impose a fine ranging from P500 to P5,000 to violators.
He said that although drinking water is a basic necessity, not all restaurants, cafeterias, bistros, cafés and eateries provide potable water to their customers.
“It has come to (our) attention that some of these aforesaid restaurants even refused to gratuitously provide such basic commodity to their very own customers, thus prompting the latter to buy such necessity from them,” he said.
To address this, he said “it is imperative that all restaurants…be mandated to provide free potable water to its customers.”
Jakosalem said that since one’s health is a “paramount” concern, “comprehensive efforts” towards fortifying and promoting it should be taken into consideration.
Section 4 of the proposal mandates the putting up of a signage indicating “free potable water.” Section 5 orders the availability of drinking glasses to customers.
Section 8 requires that the notices should be written in English, Pilipino, or Bisaya.
The measure tasks the City Health Department (CHD) to conduct periodic inspections, and collect at least twice a year samples of water served to customers for laboratory examination.
A violator is fined P500 for first offense, P2,500 for second offense, and P5,000 for third offense.
In an interview with Sun.Star Cebu, an owner of a restaurant catering to university students said she is against the proposal, saying they also spend for the water they provide.
It is but fair, she said, that they charge customers, as they do not offer “MC(WD)” water but bottled water.
Some students Sun.Star Cebu interviewed, however, support the measure, and hoped that the city council will be sensitive enough to pass the ordinance.
“Libre na man unta nang tubig kay pagkaon gud ilang baligya. Kung matuk-an ang customer, unsaon na lang? Di man sad pwede softdrinks (Water should be free because what they’re selling is food),” said accountancy student Jeffrey, who declined to give his last name. (RHM)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (June 12, 2008 issue)
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