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If you love to eat out with your fur babies, keep a close eye on this bill filed in the House of Representatives.

For one thing, House Bill (HB) No.9570 proposes to no longer allow dogs, cats, and other pets from using chairs or couches inside restaurants or food establishments.

Kusug Tausug Party-list Rep. Shernee Tan-Tambut proposed this restriction and more in an effort to "[strike] a healthier balance between the rights of responsible pet owners and food establishments".

In filing the measure--also known as the Pets in food establishments Act--Tan-Tambut expressed her concern for food and health safety in a scenario where customers with allergies or other health concerns are dining in the same establishment with customers who have accompanying pets.

She said she filed the bill not only so that restaurant-goers can avoid exposure to various animal allergens found in pets but also to protect individuals predisposed to illness from possible aggravation of their health conditions when hey dine in various food establishments.

Tan-Tambut is pursuing the enactment of such measure on the heels of the catastrophic Covid-19 pandemic.

The bill says it seeks to "protect consumers against potential diseases associated with pets when brought inside restaurants andn other food establishments".

The bill specifies certain conditions wherein pet dogs and cats are allowed in restaurants and other food establishments. It also gives a huge emphasis on cleanliness on the part of the pet owner and the establishment.

"Service animals or dogs under the control of uniformed law enforcement officers or of uniformed employees of private agencies deputized by the government to perform security functions are allowed entry only at the outdoor dining area without going through the inside of the restaurant," it read.

It states that food and water served or provided to pets shall only be in single-use disposable containers.

"Food facility employees are prohibited from having direct contact with pets while on duty," says HB No.9570.

"Pet owners shall provide diapers for pets and should there be spillage, they shall be responsible to clean the wastes of their pets. An employee of the establishment who is not assigned to prepare and serve food shall also immediately clean and sanitize the affected areas," it further stated.

It says restaurants, food courts, and other food establishments that allow pets must provide a separate dining area for persons with pets without letting those pets go through the inside of the restaurant, food court, and food establishment.

"The local offices of the Department of Health (DOH) and those charged with food sanitation and safely regulations in all cities and municipalities shall conduct inspection and proper monitoring. Cities and municipalities may pass an ordnance for the imposition of fines, penalties, or closure of the business establishment for any violation of...this Act," it read.

Any restaurant owner or personnel or any pet owner convicted of violation of this act shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment for a minimum duration of two months and maximum of one year or a fine of P10,000 or both at the Court's decision.