Health, market officials back regulation of water dispensers

CEBU, Philippines - Health and market officials are supporting the proposed regulation of the coin-operated water vending machines to ensure that the water dispensed from the machines is potable.

City Health sanitary inspector Isaac Deparine and Cebu City Market Administrator Raquel Arce agreed that unregulated water vending machines exposes the public to the hazards airborne diseases and other contaminants that may be harmful to public health.

Deparine told the members of the City Council during a public hearing of the proposed ordinance seeking to regulate coin-operated water vending machines that installing these machines anywhere, especially along the streets, where it is exposed to dust, smog and other harmful air particles is not safe.

Deparine showed the members of the council some pictures of water vending machines installed near a fire hydrant, waiting shed and even electric post. Arce said it is “high-time” for the city government to regulate water vending machines especially that some unscrupulous vendors are illegally tapping it to the Visayan Electric Company’s power line.

“I have discovered illegal meter tapping including vending machine,” Arce said.

Officials of the Department of Health-7 admitted that most mineral water refilling stations in Central Visayas have not complied with the revised 2007 Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW).

Based on the revised PNSDW, all water refilling stations must post the results of their monthly bacteriological and physicochemical examinations conducted by the local health offices to show their customers how clean and potable their water is.

Association of Barangay Councils president Michael Ralota has proposed an ordinance to regulate the proliferation of coin-operated vending machines and dispensers in the city.

Under his proposed ordinance, coin-operated water vending machines will not be installed anywhere along the streets or even sidewalks without the firm or entity securing and paying necessary clearances, permit and fees outlined in the sanitary code of the city.

Any person, firm or entity who is engaged or intends to engage in the business shall first secure a clearance certification from the barangay where he intends to operate.

If the machines are on the sidewalk, Ralota said the sanitary and safety requirements shall also be complied. — (FREEMAN)