Kids told not to buy food outside schools

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Health Officer Stella Ygoña encouraged students to buy food and drinks from the school canteens to prevent diarrhea and hepatitis.

Ygoña discouraged students from buying food outside school premises since these come from vendors whose operations are not regulated.

“Importante gyud sa mga students nga ug dunay school canteen, regulated man nato ang school canteen, anha lang gyud sila palit,” Ygoña said during the presentation of their report for January to April 2013 held in City Hall yesterday.

Vendors selling food outside schools will be liable if in case students will experience diarrhea.

“Makahibaw man gyud na sila, ug duna’y mahitabo nga kalibanga, nay mahitabo nga hepatitis, unya inig-check sa City Health Department makita man gyud na namo og asa gyud gikan ang kagaw, so duna gyu’y tulubagon ang mamaligyaay og pagkaon og asa gikan ang infection,” she added.

Ygoña also said foods which are not packed in plastic are at risk and street vendors often sell food in the open exposed to the sun and dust.

Ygoña also encouraged parents to prepare lunch and snacks for their children and give them the right amount of nutrition.

CHD is now conducting sanitary inspections before the opening of classes.

CHD also recorded 13,303 food establishments for the month of January to April higher than the 10,643 for the same period last year.

Of the 13,303 food establishments only 11,308 had sanitary permits from CHD.

They are also looking into the safety of Automatic Tubig Machines since these are not regulated.

“Lisod kaayo wala’y nagbantay, risgo kaayo kay tingay’g contaminated,” Ygoña said. — (FREEMAN)