Free drinking water in Baguio restos ordered

By Jordan G. Habbiling

BAGUIO CITY -- The City Council has passed on third and final reading an ordinance mandating all restaurants and other similar establishments operating in the city to provide access to free potable water to their customers upon request.
    Councilor Fred Bagbagen, author of the ordinance, said some restaurants do not provide free drinking water to customers, prompting the latter to buy bottled water instead.
    In his ordinance, Bagbagen cited United Nations Resolution Number 64/292 entitled, “The human right to water and sanitation.”
    “The human right to water entitles everyone to sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically accessible and affordable water for personal and domestic uses,” Bagbagen quoted. 
    Under the ordinance, all food establishments are likewise required to post a signage with the phrase “Free Service Water” inside their premises.
    According to the ordinance, the “self-service” practice when availing of free drinking water shall be observed in small food establishments.
    The ordinance further directs all food establishments to regularly maintain and clean their water dispensers, water vending machines, and water storage containers.
    The City Health Services Office was tasked to inspect business establishments to ensure compliance.
    During inspection, the CHSO shall check if the food establishment has up to date water test results of their water provider and their monthly water sampling and bacteriology test.
    These test results should be readily available to the general public at all times and not only to the CHSO during an inspection.
    Any food establishment found to have violated the ordinance shall be fined P3,000 and shall be given a notice of violation for the first offense; P4,000 and a second notice of violation for the second offense and shall have its business permit suspended and shall be ordered to close for the third offense.
    The ordinance has been transmitted to the City Mayor’s Office to be signed by the chief executive before it takes effect.