BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Benjamin Magalong has ordered the City Health Services Office (CHSO) to intensify sanitation inspections after a rodent was allegedly found in a customer's sinigang (sour Filipino soup) in a restaurant here recently.

Magalong apologized to the affected customer and assured the public that the city government is acting to address the issue and safeguard public health.

He said that businesses ordered closed due to health violations cannot simply resume operations on their own.

Magalong said that erring establishments must first undergo a thorough re-inspection and secure the necessary clearance from city authorities before reopening to the public.

He warned that the restaurant involved in the incident will face an immediate re-inspection and may be charged with additional violations for reopening without the required permit.

Magalong reiterated the city's zero-tolerance policy on sanitation lapses and reminded all food establishments to maintain strict cleanliness standards.

"Sa nangyaring ito, dapat maging lesson sa ibang food establishment na maging istrikto sila sa sanitation ng kanilang lugar, dahil mas lalo tayong maghihigpit ngayon, dahil kalusugan ng tao ang nakasalalay dito," Magalong said.

(Let this incident serve as a lesson to other food establishments to be strict with their sanitation. We will be much stricter now because public health is at stake)

The city government will conduct a series of unannounced, intensified monitoring and sanitation checks of local food establishments to ensure strict compliance with health and safety regulations.