Friday, September 28, 2007
Bill - Hon. Maria Luissa Francesca Mataac
Youth Congress
Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Sta. Mesa, Manila
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Here in the Philippines, the probability of Food Poisoning is high and other food-related diseases may arise if the preparation of the food is unsanitated.
Street Foods is one of the leading causes of food poisoning and other food-related diseases. These foods includes fried squid balls, fishballs, kikiam, tokneneng, and deep-fried-one-day-old-chick. Barbecued pork and chiken, offal (pig’s blood, also called Betamax), chicken heads (helmet), chicken feet (adidas), pig’s ears and chicken intestines (isaw) are also included. We also have Taho (bean curd with syrup and tapioca balls), Turon, Banana-Q, Palamig (coolers), fruit juices, the famous halo-halo, and the “Dirty Ice Cream”. And these foods are patronizes by most of the Filipinos, especially of the poor, which sometimes serves as their snacks or even their regular meals. So therefore, we have to ensure that these foods are well prepared, cooked properly, and safe to eat.
Tests have proven these street foods are contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms such as E. coli and Salmonella. These pathogenic microorganisms can causes diarrhea and gastrointestinal diseases. Contaminations occur with improper handling of food, unsanitary utensils, unhygienic surrounding or packaging materials used.
To prevent these diseases, measures are initiated on this Act which shall:
Conduct periodic monitoring and inspection of street foods especially on those near schools
Train street vendors and sellers on proper handling of techniques
Regulate the selling of street foods
Improve the assurance of Healthy street foods
In this Act, street food vendors and sellers shall be given with permits which shall prove that their products are under the supervision of the Department of Health.
Youth Congress
Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Sta. Mesa, Manila
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Introduced by: Honorable Maria Luissa Francesca Mataac
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PERMITS TO THE STREET FOOD VENDORS AND SELLERS IN THE PHILIPPINES
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “Healthy Street Food Legalization Act”.
SEC. 2. Definitions. – As used in this Act the following terms shall mean:
“Bureau” shall refer to the Bureau of Food and Drug (BFAD) under the Department of Health (DOH).
“Official Baranggay” shall refer to the Baranggay where street food vendors and sellers are registered residents.
“Permit” shall refer to a written permission or authorization issued by the BFAD and the seller’s official baranggay; two classes: Health Permit and Business Permit.
“Street Foods” shall refer to the ready-to-eat foods and beverages prepared and sold in streets and other similar public places.
“Vendors and Sellers” shall refer to the individuals who prepares and solds the street foods.
SEC. 3. Issuing Agency. – The BFAD shall act as the regulatory agency pertaining to the regulation and issuing of health permit to the street food vendors and sellers; The seller’s official baranggay shall issued the business permit which shall be exempted of any taxes.
SEC. 4. Powers and Duties of the Bureau. – The Bfad shall have the following powers and duties:
To establish and prescribe rules and regulations in all street food vendors and sellers related to the issuance of Health Permits.
(b) To inspect and monitor all street food products, utensils used, and the processes of preparing these foods to ensure their continued compliance with rules and regulations in accordance with this Act and to make recommendations to the vendors and sellers for the correction and improvement of their products.
(c) To coordinate and call the assistance of any department, office, agency or instrumentality of the national or local government and other entities concerned with any aspect involving the street food vendors and sellers for the effective implementation of this Act.
(d) To submit yearly reports to the Secretary of the DOH.
(e) To suspend or repeal any permits given to the vendors and sellers who violates and ignores this Act
(f) To establish seminars and trainings, this shall teach or train vendors and sellers of proper handling techniques in preparing street foods.
SEC. 5. Issuance of Permits. – The issuance of Health Permits shall be filed with the Bureau. The Permit will be the basis in granting business permit to the vendors and sellers which shall be free from any taxes.
SEC. 6. Validity of Permits. – The Health Permit shall be valid for three years in which the vendors and sellers passed the monthly inspections of the Bureau: The Business permit shall be valid for one year in which the vendors and sellers passed the weekly monitoring and inspection of the baranggay under the supervision of the DOH.
SEC. 7. Inspection. – The Bureau shall inspect the products, utensils used, and the processes in preparing the street foods monthly: the baranggay shall monitor and inspect the process of preparing the street foods weekly with the supervision of the DOH to ensure the compliance of the vendors and sellers with rules and regulations in this Act.
SEC. 8. Rules and Regulations. – The Secretary of the DOH, upon the recommendation of the Bureau shall issue rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 9. Penalties. – Any person, partnership and association who operates in selling street foods without obtaining permits or violates any provision of this Act shall be liable in confiscating the products, stalls, and pushcarts with a fine of not less than one thousand pesos (1,000) but not to exceed three thousand pesos (3,000).
SEC. 10. Separability Clause. – If any part or provision of this Act shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions thereof which are not affected hereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
SEC. 11. Effectivity. – This Act shall tke effect immediately upon its approval.
Approved,Labels: health
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