Business and establishment owners in the city are reminded to immediately start processing their sanitation permits after receiving their business permits from the Business Bureau.
Marc Dennis A. Serrano, Division Chief of the City Health Office’s (CHO) Environmental Health and Sanitation Division, said in an interview with the Madayaw Program over city-owned Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR), that existing establishments should start complying with the initial requirements needed to secure a sanitation permit from the CHO upon the receipt of their business permits from the Business Bureau.
“Ang mga existing nga mga establishment dapat ‘pag nakuha na nila to ila’ng permit, pag-start sa February magcomply na sila kadtong mga initial requirements namo (Once existing establishments receive their business permits, they must immediately comply with our initial requirements by February),” he said.
The key requirements for obtaining a sanitation permit include valid health cards for personnel, a copy of the business permit, and a vermin abatement (pest control) plan, which is particularly critical for food-related businesses. Establishments must meet these basic sanitation standards to pass the CHO’s inspection, with stricter enforcement applied to food establishments due to the nature of their operations.
Serrano also clarified that the sanitary permit fee is already included during business permit processing, making it mandatory for all establishments to secure one.
Jinolex Conve C. Caingles, CHO Sanitation Inspector III, added that water testing is another essential requirement.
“According sa Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water, required g’yud tanan labi na kadto’ng mga food establishments ug water refilling stations (According to the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water, every establishment is required to have their water supply tested, especially for food establishments and water refilling stations),” he said.
“After nila magpatest sa ilahang gipili nga laboratory, ang result dal-on nila sa office para i-check nato ang result. Kami man ang mubasa kung pasado o dili. After ana ma-assess namo kung pasado, tagaan namo sila og certificate of potability (After having their water supply tested by a laboratory of their choice, they must bring the result to our office for assessment. After assessment, if we deem their source to have passed potability standards, we will issue a Certificate of Potability),” Caingles added.
Water refilling stations are required to have their water supply tested every month, while food establishments must have their supply tested every two months.
The CHO’s Sanitation Division also encouraged Dabawenyos to report any sanitation concerns observed in local establishments. Reports should be submitted in writing or with documentation, clearly stating the issue and the location of the establishment.
Business owners are urged to prioritize sanitation compliance to ensure public health and safety. CIO
