BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Mayor Benjamin Magalong is now targeting to intensify the implementation of ‘Oplan Kasilyas” in all business establishments that comply with sanitation laws especially in providing proper and well-maintained restrooms and handwashing facilities by early 2026.
Magalong said, this is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to raise sanitation standards and promote a healthier environment for residents and tourists.
“It’s time for us to take this matter seriously. I want to see results of change by the first quarter of next year. “Our target is 100 percent compliance by March 2026,” the mayor said during the Management Committee meeting.
He requested a meeting with establishment owners as soon as possible to clarify the point.
Magalong’s statement coincides with the city’s ongoing intensified sanitation compliance drive launched on October 1 by the Environmental Health and Sanitation Division (EHSD) of the City Health Services Office (CHSO) and the Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) of the City Mayor’s Office.
According to City Health Services Officer Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes, as of October 20, a total of 637 establishments have been inspected by the sanitation division and of this number, 539 were found to be compliant, while 98 were charged with various violations and issued sanitary orders requiring immediate corrective action.
According to a report by Sanitation Division Chief Engr. Albert Pay-an, common violations are non-compliance maintained or unclean toilets; lack of proper hand washing facilities; non-functioning toilets and equipment; and lack of liquid soap and paper towels or hand dryers.
Other violations include unsanitary conditions of food preparation areas or kitchens, lack of or unmaintained grease traps; improper disposal of F.O.G (fats, oils, grease), improper disposal of solid and liquid waste, failure to wear PPE by food handlers, failure to pass rapid water test results, presence of rats or pests in the establishment, and lack of a proper health certificate.
According to Pay-an, establishment owners were reminded to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Sanitation Code (Presidential Decree 856) which mandates safe food handling, access to clean water, adequate sanitation facilities, and regular sanitation maintenance.
The Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) reported that they inspected 324 establishments covering 51 barangays and assessed their facilities for comfort based on cleanliness and odor levels and the presence of closed and toilets, clean water, running water, hand washing facilities, bar or liquid soap, hand drying facilities, trash cans with lids, ventilation, adequate lighting, and live animals. plants.
The city government stressed that inspections will continue in the coming months to ensure 100 percent compliance with regulations by the first quarter of 2026.
