• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod urged all 61 punong barangays to monitor and inspect the permits of water refilling stations in their respective areas, and ensure strict compliance with health/sanitation code.
“All punong barangays of Bacolod are hereby enjoined to monitor, examine, and inspect pertinent documents and permits of all retail water system or water refilling stations (WRS) that operate in their respective area of jurisdiction to ensure that such entities are all in compliance with the Code of Sanitation and pertinent city ordinances to protect the health and safety of the general public,” said the resolution, authored by Councilor Claudio Jesus Puentevella, and approved by the SP during its session Feb. 14.
The City Health Office (CHO) earlier said that it inspected 142 water refilling stations in September 2022, and found that 81 had no sanitary permits. These were recommended to stop operations pending the conduct of water potability and to secure the required permits.
Section 4.1.1 of the Supplemental Implementing Rules and Regulations of Chapter II-Water Supply, of the Code on Sanitation of the Philippines, or Presidential Decree No. 856, provides that “no person or entity shall operate a retail water system or refilling station for commercial purposes without securing a sanitary permit from the city/municipal health office,” Puentevella, chairperson of the SP Committee on Health and Sanitation, explained.
He added that the punong barangays should coordinate with the CHO and the City Legal Office in the monitoring and inspection of WRS. | CGC
