BACOLOD City – The City Health Office (CHO) has launched an extensive inspection campaign targeting street vendors to enhance food safety and public health, coinciding with the beginning of the new school year.
Grace Tan, chief of the Environment Sanitation Division at the CHO, reported that the ongoing inspections aim to ensure that vendors comply with local health regulations, including obtaining necessary business and sanitary permits.
The move comes as the city awaits the revision of its ordinance to establish clearer guidelines for ambulant vendors.
During the initial inspections, multiple vendors were found non-compliant, lacking the requisite permits essential for their operations.
“These vendors have been instructed to secure the necessary documentation immediately,” said Tan.
The health inspection initiative also aligns with efforts to mitigate health risks associated with improper food handling and sanitation practices.
Recent health records from the CHO indicate a concerning rise in gastrointestinal ailments, with 74 cases of acute gastroenteritis reported from January 1 to July 27. The barangays of Banago and Handumanan reported the highest incidences, with nine cases each.
Factors contributing to these health issues include the use of contaminated water for dishwashing and personal hygiene, inadequate cleaning of drinking water containers, consumption of undercooked foods, and poor hand hygiene.
In response, the CHO strongly advises the public to maintain rigorous hygiene practices, ensure food safety, and use safe drinking water to prevent disease outbreaks.
The health office’s heightened scrutiny of street vendors is part of a broader strategy to safeguard public health, particularly in densely populated urban areas where street food is common./PN
