Many are not aware that the food they eat every day are purchased from public markets, which are some of the dirtiest places (after reading that first sentence, readers have surely come to realize this fact). Visit a public market and look where the meat is being sold, check if the floor is clean, then ask yourself when was the last time a firetruck sprayed down the area; look at the ground in the produce section and ask yourself when was the last time heath inspectors ordered a proper cleaning (the same goes for the seafood section).
Everybody assumes the local health office doesn’t care and is unaware of the lacking sanitation and hygiene practices of local markets. Many believe the local health office is solely concerned with giving out sanitation permits (without inspections), issuing “pink cards,” and conducting immunization drives, yet being completely unaware of the situations at public markets.
In addition, health officials pretend to care about health but cannot even provide potable water.
Politicians, meanwhile, are concerned with constructing barangay halls, concreting roads, and erecting bridges but have never cared about market sanitation. Why?
Local government officials have little regard for health. While there is the Dengvaxia issue, it’s because there was money invested. Market vendors continue to be under the control of politicians (how the latter would prefer things).
President Rodrigo Duterte needs to be informed of this disregard for sanitation at public markets.
In a column published last October, entitled “Why are public markets neglected?,” I pointed out, “Marikina City and Dumaguete City should be commended for their efforts in keeping their markets in top shape;” unfortunately, most other public markets stink.
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This column greets Angela Mijares, Virgie Minez, Jun Cordova, Bobot Gazo, Rodel Parcon, Cesar Peralta, Dodong Bascon, Chino Ang, Mimir Guanco, Manu Gidwani, Manny Parroco, Ben Lopez, Jr., Uy Primacio, Doc Joe Javellana, Quino Yao, and Erlinda Regalado./WDJ