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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider Water-related businesses in Baguio face closure if found unsanitary

Water-related businesses in Baguio face closure if found unsanitary

Published Jul 13, 2026 12:29 pm  |  Updated Jul 13, 2026 03:16 pm
MAGALONG (FB)
MAGALONG (FB)
BAGUIO CITY – Water-related businesses in Baguio face closure if they fail two consecutive water quality tests, Mayor Benjamin Magalong warned as the city government intensifies inspections of establishments supplying drinking water.
Magalong said public health takes priority over business interests.
“Isasara namin sila. Hindi kami papayag na nag-ooperate sila na inilalagay nila sa peligro ang mga tao. Dalawang beses na bumagsak sila sa quality testing, wala tayong magagawa kundi isara sila (We will shut them down. We will not allow them to operate knowing that they are placing people in danger. If they fail the quality test twice, we have no choice but to close them),” he said in an interview Monday.
The warning covers purified water refilling stations, water source operators, and water delivery services.
Magalong earlier issued the directive during a meeting with the City Water Resources Board and City Water Governance Council following findings from a joint task force led by the City Health Services Office (CHSO).
He urged operators to comply with sanitation requirements and maintain clean facilities and surroundings to protect consumers from water-related health risks.
“Hindi lang dapat kita nila ang importante sa kanila, dapat magkaroon sila ng sense of responsibility sa mga tao. Hindi lang malinis ang tubig, dapat malinis din ang kapaligiran at mismong establishment at sumusunod sila sa operational protocols na nire-require (They should not only be concerned about their income. They must have a sense of responsibility to the people. The water, the surroundings and the establishment must be clean, and they must follow required operational protocols),” Magalong said.
CHSO Environmental Health and Sanitation Division head Albert Pay-an said regular inspections and testing will continue, including checks on food establishments providing service water and ice for beverages.
He said water providers must comply with the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water, governed by the Department of Health, which requires physical, chemical, and microbiological testing.
Under the standards, purified water refilling stations must undergo monthly bacteriological testing and physical and chemical tests every six months. Commercial deep well sources require monthly bacteriological testing and annual physical and chemical tests, while water delivery trucks must undergo quarterly bacteriological testing and annual physical and chemical tests.
A failed water quality test may result in a P5,000 fine the Sanitation Code of Baguio City.
The city government is also pursuing establishments operating without permits, with nine water refilling stations identified for possible enforcement action.
At least 1,080 business establishments in 50 barangays have been tagged for closure due to sanitation code violations. (PNA)

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