BY MAE SINGUAY

Bacolod City aims to come up with an ordinance regulating all ambulant vendors selling food consumed by the public.

Mayor Alfredo Benitez revealed that he asked Councilor Celia Flor, chair of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Markets, to compel vendors to secure necessary permits and be penalized if needed.

Currently, a male teacher in one of the schools in Bacolod posted a video on social media of a fried chicken infested with worms that was bought by a student.

Just like what the city did with the water refilling stations, they will be subjected to closure if they are not compliant in securing the business permit, Benitez said.

Meanwhile, Committee on Health chair, Councilor Claudio Jesus Puentevella reiterated that in August, the city council passed a resolution to implement the Food Safety Ordinance of Bacolod.

The ordinance mandates all entities engaged in food processing, food preparation, and selling of foods and drinks in the city to properly observe food safety practices.

The councilor also reminds all food establishments and vendors operating in the city to comply with the food safety ordinance to minimize the risks and spreading food-borne diseases./MS, WDJ