ILOILO CITY -- Serving free and potable service water to customers is now mandatory for all restaurants and other food outlets in this city.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) on Tuesday approved on final reading the “Free Potable Service Water Ordinance of Iloilo City” penalizing those who will fail to comply with its provisions.
Councilor Ely Estante found the ordinance necessary as he cited that there are “food establishments that only provide service water when the customer personally asks upon ordering”.
Other establishments only offer such necessity with a corresponding monetary value while other establishments offer “hulog-hulog piso” or “coin-operated water vending machines,” said the ordinance author.
Moreover, he cited that there are food outlets that serve water but their “sources could not be considered as safe and clean”.
The ordinance mandates that food establishments post a “Free Service Water” signage on conspicuous places of the establishments and that they shall regularly maintain and clean their water dispensers, water vending machines and water storage containers.
The legislation makes the owner proprietor, juridical or natural persons liable for the failure to serve the potable water and post the required signage.
They will be warned during the first offense while a fine of PHP3,000 will be imposed in the second offense.
Penalty for the third offense will be a PHP 5,000 fine plus suspension of the business permit and closure until such time that offending business establishment comply with the ordinance.
The City Health Office has been tasked to lead in the inspection for the purpose of ensuring compliance while the City Legal Office shall summon violators or file necessary cases.
Complaints against establishments violating the ordinance shall also be coursed through any of the two offices. (PNA)
Photo by Perla Lena
