THE City Council of Bacolod passed a resolution Wednesday requesting the City Health Office through the Office of the City Mayor to conduct health inspection and educate food providers selling in all public and private schools.
They should sell only healthy, nutritious, clean and sanitary food, said the resolution authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito.
It added that it is the thrust of the City Government to safeguard the health of its constituents, particularly the students, by ensuring that they eat clean and nutritious foods.
During school days, ambulant vendors or food providers flock along the entrances of schools to sell food, drinks or any goods to the students, the resolution noted.
However, most of them do not have enough knowledge and facility to ensure food safety which can compromise the health of the students or any of their customers.
The resolution stated further that conducting the said inspection is necessary in providing the data that will serve as basis in crafting the legislation that will regulate ambulant food vendors and uphold the safety of the general public.
Recently, the Department of Health urged local government units to create a proper monitoring system intended for these ambulant food vendors found outside the schools while the Department of Education issued Order No. 8, series of 2007 which directs the selling of fortified and nutrient-rich foods in school canteens, but ambulant food vendors found outside the schools are not covered by this order.
Distrito added that the conduct of the inspection will benefit not just the students, but will also serve as a way of educating the ambulant vendors or food providers. (CNC)