Restos, eateries told to have potable water

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council has approved the proposed resolution of City Councilor Rey Gealon for operators, owners, and proprietors of restaurants, canteen, and other food outlets in the city to provide free potable water to their customers.

This came after it had been observed that there are restaurants, fast food chains, canteens, and the like that do not serve free potable water or have drinking fountains installed intended for their customers while others are not also assured as safe and clean.

As such, customers are “constrained to buy bottled water or soft drinks at a higher price,” Gealon said.

“Naay mga resto ipapugos gyud ng ilang bottled water, usahay mahal kaayo. Unsaon na lang kung atong kwarta igo ra i-kaon, matuk-an na hinoon ta kay wala silay tubig mahatag,” Gealon told The FREEMAN.

Gealon emphasized that the United Nations recognized the human right to water and sanitation and acknowledged that clean drinking water and sanitation are essential in the realization of all human rights and should be accessible.

With this, Gealon felt the need for an ordinance to address this concern which the rest of the Cebu City council also agreed.

“There is a need for an ordinance in the City of Cebu that would ensure that the constituents and tourists of Cebu City will have access to free, safe, and clean service water in restaurants, food establishments, and the like,” Gealon said.

Potable service water has been defined under the said ordinance as drinking water that passed the parameters set by the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water with the City Health Department (CHD) monitoring restaurants and canteens, etc.

Violators will be penalized with P300 on their second offense and P500 on the third time along with the suspension of the Business Permit and closure of the establishment until such time that the offender complies with the regulation. — Sanden Anadia (FREEMAN)