Unsanitary practices confirmed at Roxas night market
THE Davao City Health Office (CHO) sanitation inspection unit confirmed that there are some practices in Roxas night market and Bankerohan market that could harm public health.
During the Pulong-pulong ni Pulong (PPP) Tuesday, January 15, CHO Sanitation Inspector Curtis Lazarraga said that they immediately checked the reports that they have received and discovered that in Bankerohan market, some tenants just dragged their ice cubes to any area, including those near garbage bins.
"Our division conducts a yearly inspection and monitoring on all markets," Lazarraga said, adding that the problem is not on the manufacturers but on the unhygienic handling of ice cubes which are mainly used for fish or meat storage or juice drinks and other beverages.
Reports were also received about unsanitary practice at Roxas night market where single-use plastics are being used again after they were thrown in the trash bins.
Other sanitary practices included in the guidelines set by the city like the segregation of garbage in labelled containers; proper disposal of liquid wastes; preparation of food should be free from contamination; recycled oil is prohibited; pointed end of barbecue sticks should be removed; and proper storage of food and beverages were also violated.
Meanwhile, committee on health chairperson Councilor Mary Joselle Villafuerte said that she wanted the night market to be transferred inside a park where hygiene facilities are available.
"The night market and its sanitation is a big issue for us, lalo for me. Tumayo talaga ako when they were making that night market sa council. I questioned the sanitation and hygiene," Villafuerte said.
She, however, was assured by then Councilor Melchor Quitain Sr. about toilet and washing facilities to be established at the Roxas Night market for hygiene purposes but it was never implemented.
Villafuerte wanted the Roxas night market vendors to be allowed to sell dry goods and souvenir items only to avoid unsanitary practices.
"Kaming dalawa, we are in agreement na Roxas night market needs improvement talaga," she said.