COUNCILOR Joel Alangsab is pushing for sanitation standards for food establishment in Baguio City.
"For sure, many establishments will react, especially those that are not aligned with the provisions of Food Safety Act, those without permit, those who had been used to doing what they like to do like throwing left over cooking oil in the city's drainage and canals, those who just leave their left over foods and throw away waste along spaces for garbage pick-up by our collectors that when not immediately collected will be the source of foul odor and unsanitary view," said Alangsab.
He said under his proposed measure, establishments should be required to have their own system of waste management like composting machines.
"The main purpose of the ordinance is to set standards in order to safeguard public health and insure the cleanliness and overall sanitation of all business establishments operating within the city of Baguio," he added.
Alangsab said cases of food and water-borne diseases in the City of Baguio has increased, as well as the number of complaints over unsanitary establishments.
Provisions for the transporting of food are also stipulated in the new measure, which was passed on first reading during this week's regular session.
The measure also sets standards for the preparation, storing and serving of food and drinks.
"All food while being displayed, stored, prepared, served or sold shall be protected from contamination such as dust, flies, rodents and other vermins," Alangsab said.
Strict requirements on the use of food service spaces is also set in the proposed measure for all food serving establishment and stalls.
Structural requirements will also be imposed and implemented for floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation and overcrowding.
Under the measure, sanitary clearances will not be issued for any premises to be used for the preparation, handling and safe food unless it is constructed in accordance with the requirements of the law.
Sanitary facilities requirements will be scrutinized and monitored, while penalties will be imposed on violators.
The penalties include fines of as low as P3,000 and as high as P5,000 with the danger of having a suspension or revocation of business permits.
Alangsab anchored the measure from the Food Safety Act of 2013, which was passed to strengthen the Philippine Food Safety Regulatory System that aims to protect the public from food-borne and water-borne illnesses and unsanitary, unwholesome, misbranded or adulterated foods; enhance industry and consumer confidence in the food regulatory system; and achieve economic growth and development by promoting fair trade practices and sound regulatory foundation for domestic and international trade.