Health dept supports regulation of water vending machines

CEBU, Philippines - Health officials in Cebu City are strongly supporting the move of a city legislator to regulate the operations of hundreds of coin-operated water vending machines that are now scattered in different sidewalks in the city to ensure that their water is safe to drink.

Cebu City Health Officer Stella Ygoña said operators of these water vending machines must be taught how to maintain the cleanliness of their water supply.

The committee on laws of the Cebu City Council headed by Councilor Edgardo Labella is tasked to review and to give its comment on the proposed ordinance sponsored by Councilor Michael Ralota to regulate the operation of these coin-operated water vending machines.

While the public believes that water from coin-operated vending machines is safe to drink, Ygoña said the water can still be contaminated because the nozzle where the water comes out can be touched by anybody anytime.

She also added that the operators of the water dispensers just place the free cellophane packs for the use of their customers in a place open to dust, so water from some of these dispensers may not be safe to drink.

Unsafe food and drinks can cause a human being to suffer from Hepatitis-A, diarrhea and other water-borne diseases.

As for these water dispensers, they are vulnerable to contamination because anyone who intends to make the water dirty can easily do so since the owners of the machines are not always watching.

Ralota, an ex-officio member of the City Council being the president of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC), had expressed concern on the health of the public. He said there should be preventive measures by regulating the sale, storage and distribution of these bottled water.

He proposed that coin-operated water vending machines will not be installed for public use without proper clearances, permit and fees.

If the proposed ordinance of Ralota will be approved and implemented, those who wish to operate these water bending machines shall be required first to secure a clearance from the barangay where he intends to operate and to get a business permit from the City Treasurer’s Office, otherwise they will be fined up to P5,000.

There were also reports that some operators of these vending machines are only using tap water and make it appear that the supply came from the water refilling stations. — (FREEMAN)