BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod is requesting Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez to implement City Ordinance No. 08-15-756, series of 2015 or “An Ordinance Ensuring the Observance of Food Safety Standards in the City of Bacolod”.
The resolution authored by Councilor Claudio Jesus Raymundo Puentevella said C.O. No. 08-15-756, as mandated by R.A. 10611 or “An act to strengthen the food safety regulatory system in the country to protect consumer health and facilitate market access of local foods and food products and for other purpose,” provides that the local government of Bacolod City will be responsible for food safety in all food businesses or establishments under its jurisdiction.
It said the strict implementation of the Bacolod Food Safety Ordinance will minimize the risk and spread of food borne diseases and protect the general public from health hazard caused by contaminated food products and the like.
Meanwhile, the SP also passed another resolution requesting the Mayor to convene the Bacolod City Local Health Board.
The resolution authored by Puentevella said the Bacolod City Health Board will be headed by the Mayor as chairman, City Health Officer as vice chairman, and the chairman of the SP Committee on Health and Sanitation, representative from the private sector or non-governmental organizations involved in health services, a representative from the Department of Health, executive assistant for Health, and a representative from the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office as members.
The Bacolod City Local Health Board will serve as an advisory committee of the Sanggunian concerned on health matters such as but not limited to, the necessity for, and application of local appropriations for public health purposes, it added.*
