Alderman sees healthier and cleaner public market

March 18, 2017 Opinion Sideglance

Putting a premium on the health of the citizenry as his main goal City Councilor Leandro Yangot Jr. has filed a proposed ordinance that would require all talipapa vendors and their helpers selling both at the public and private markets in the city to wear color-coded aprons while plying their trade and imposing sanctions for non-compliance.

The proposed regulatory measure if approved shall be dubbed “The Color-Coded Apron Ordinance in the City of Baguio” and shall mandate that meat and fish vendors wear red aprons while fruits, vegetables and grocery vendors will wear green aprons and eatery and dry goods vendors will wear yellow aprons while selling their goods in public or private markets.

Citing Section 15 of Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution which provides that the State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them, Councilor Yangot explained in his proposed apron color-coding scheme that “The evolvement of a health citizenry in the City of Baguio is one of the top priorities of the City Government”, adding that his proposal as a flagship project can contribute to the realization of the truism that healthy minds reside in health bodies. He further added that “a well-managed public market serves as a vital part of a healthy urban economy aside from being an alternative tourist destination for local and foreign tourists and the local residents as well”.

In the explanatory note of the proposed ordinance Councilor Yangot then made the observation that the vendors in the Baguio City Public Market as well as the various satellite markets situated in the barangays are major contributors in the realization of the goal for a healthy city if they themselves are neat and tidy while they ply their trade.

As contained in the said proposed ordinance non-compliance by owners, proprietors or managers of business establishments mentioned with the apron color-coded scheme will be subject to the penalty of fines and for the first offense the penalty will be a fine of three hundred pesos, while for the second offense a fine of five hundred pesos will be meted and for the third and succeeding offenses a fine of one thousand pesos for every violation.

It is also contained in the said proposal that vendors and helpers of stores and shops within malls and shopping complexes are not covered by the said color-coded aprons scheme.

The proposed ordinance finds support in other cities and municipalities which have adopted similar regulatory measures particularly that of Makati City which has its own color-coded apron scheme.