Water vendomachines seized

CEBU, Philippines - At least 25 illegally installed coin-operated water dispensers were confiscated by the Cebu City Hall personnel yesterday during the first day of campaign against water vending machines installed in sidewalks as these are threat to public health.

Prevention Restoration Order Beautification Enhancement (PROBE) Executed, escorted by City Health Office (CHO) personnel, implemented the clearance order issued by Garbo Asenso Sumbanan Alyansa (GASA).

The GASA order came after it was found that the diarrhea cases in Pahina Central were caused by contaminated water dispensers installed in the city streets.

The group, composed of three teams with about seven to eight members each, went to Osmeña Boulevard as well as the streets of Sanciangko, Pelaez and Jakosalem.

They were able to confiscate 19 automatic tubig machines (ATMs), two coffee vending machines, and three refrigerators improperly installed at the sidewalk blocking pedestrian passage.

The clearing team resumed operations past 2p.m. in V. Gullas, Manalili and Colon streets confiscating more than five ATMs.

Operators of these may claim their coin-operated machines at the PROBE office at the CitiCenter after paying P500 and attending an information campaign seminar tackling their violations and corrective measures.

Along the way, PROBE chief Raquel Arce apprehended violating ambulant vendors.

Asked if this is still covered by the GASA order, Arce said the clearing of vendors is part of PROBE’s daily routine.

Ambulant food and candy stalls, establishments whose chairs and equipment encroaching the sidewalks were also confiscated.

“Apprehending these ambulant vendors in this part of downtown Cebu City is part of our daily task. The vendors in this area are regulated. They’ve been notified and explained about the standard size of stalls that the city is tolerating,” Arce told reporters.

The city government will not confiscate stalls not bigger than the standard size of two feet by three feet and height of four feet, the PROBE chief reiterated.

“They know about these things because we have been constantly reminding them about our restrictions. But they keep on violating. That is why we are confiscating their stalls. Otherwise, these will be back shortly after we leave,” she explained.

GASA earlier ordered the confiscation of coin-operated water and coffee machines not placed inside establishments and houses for violating Sanitation Code of the Philippines thereby posing health risks to consumers.  (FREEMAN)