City asked to probe recycling of sauce in 'pungko-pungko'

A city resident has asked city officials, through the government's official website, to look into some "pungko-pungko" food vendors that recycle vinegar or sauce left behind by their customers and serve this to the next customers.

The complainant said he saw this practice done by a "pungko-pungko" vendor, operating in front of a private school along General Maxilom Avenue, so he asked the city government to act on this and see if other vendors around the city streets are doing the same.

He narrated that the vendor collected the leftover vinegar of his customers and put this into a cup. When the other customers left the place, the vendor took the cup and poured its "collected" contents into a bottle ready for use by his next customers.

Last Wednesday, councilor Procopio Fernandez sponsored a resolution asking city health officials to inspect the "pungko-pungko" vendors and the food if these are safe and clean for consumption.

The city council later tasked Fernandez to coordinate with health officials in inspecting these vendors and guide them on sanitary practice of food preparation and serving.

A lot of people, particularly students, have been patronizing these "pungko-pungko" vendors because the food they sell is cheap. - Rene U. Borromeo/RAE