Makati mayor orders crackdown on unsanitary mobile canteens

An immediate crackdown on unsanitary mobile canteens operating in the central business district (CBD) of Makati City has been ordered by Mayor Jejomar Binay.

Binay said his office has received numerous complaints from workers and residents who claim that they suffered from various ailments such as diarrhea and hepatitis as a result of eating at the mobile canteens or what is more popularly known as the "Jolli-jeeps."

Prior to the complaints, the city government was asked by the Makati Commercial Estate Association (MACEA) on behalf of the residents and building owners of the CBD to do something about the mobile canteens because of their unsanitary practices.

Binay has directed the Makati Health Department to inspect the CBD’s mobile canteens and indentify those operating under unsanitary conditions.

He disclosed that stiff penalties would be imposed on violators of the city’s health and sanitation standards.

The City Council of Makati has also come up with a draft ordinance in response to the complaint of the MACEA to regulate the operations of the mobile canteens.

Under Ordinance No. 2002-007, the mobile canteens would be replaced by uniform food trailers to be sold by the city to interested operators of mobile canteens in the CBD.

The trailers would be situated only at the parking areas designated by the MACEA and Makati Department of Public Safety.

All of them would be equipped with a sink, clean water, fire extinguishers and other features that conform with the health, safety and sanitation standards of the city.

Meanwhile, Binay also reported that there are 40 buildings vying for this year’s model of fire safety.

A committee composed of the Makati Fire Department, Makati Fire Safety Foundation Inc. and the city government has been tasked to evaluate the aspirants.

The determination of the winner would be based on their compliance with the Fire Code of the Philippines.

Participants in this year’s competition are Stamford Court, Amorsolo Square, Hidalgo Place, Rizal Tower, Luna Gardens, Makati Prime Citadel Condominium, 6788 Makati Sky Plaza, Ponte Salcedo Condominium, Makati Shangri-La, Pacific Star Building, The Regency at Salcedo, Greenbelt Mall, Twin Towers Condominium, Glorietta Malls 1 to 4, Park Square 1 and 2, Oakwood Premier Ayala Center, Three Salcedo Place Condominium, Asia Tower, Tower One & Exchange Plaza, The Peninsula Manila, Mandarin Oriental, Nestle Center Building, Makati Stock Exchange, 6750 Ayala Avenue Joint Venture, Ayala Life FGU, Two Salcedo Place, Shell House Building, one Salcedo Place Condominium, New World Renaissance Hotel, Multinational Bancorporation, RCBC Plaza, Power Plant Mall, Phinma Plaza, One Roxas Tirnalge, Hotel International Manila and Mayfaire Mansion.