By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Every single palamig stall tested by UP Manila in Tondo had drug-resistant bacteria. Now, the Manila City Health Department is hitting back with a 7-point emergency action plan.
City Health Officer Dr. Grace Padilla called it a “high-priority public health concern requiring immediate action.”
The Manila Health Department is heading back to all 12 stalls flagged in the study for surprise re-inspections.
“We will return to the 12 sites included in the study, and we will be conducting again the inspection of this samalamig stall,” Padilla said.
Tondo is now marked as a high-risk area. Sanitary inspectors from all six Manila districts are being deployed.
UP Manila researchers pinpointed water and ice as the top contamination sources.
Vendors must use certified potable water and ice from approved suppliers only. No certification, no operation.
“We will require vendors to use certified potable water and an approved ice supplier, not just any source,” Padilla stressed.
Water potability tests are now free. City health staff will collect samples on-site — no more trips to the lab.
“We will be the ones to do the sampling for them, and free of charge,” Padilla said. Testing will be done at Manila’s Water Analysis Laboratory.
Manila is teaming up with UP Manila for a crash course on handwashing, safe food handling, and proper container cleaning.
Vendors who complete it get official certificates. “We will give them certification to uplift and motivate them to follow proper hygiene procedures,” Padilla said.
New licensing rules: Water potability re-certification is now required on top of sanitary permits.
But Padilla wants to waive fees for small vendors and is seeking the mayor’s approval to make compliance easier.
MHD will regularly test drinks, water, and surfaces at stalls — not just for bacteria, but for drug resistance too.
“We need to partner with the universities or use our own public health lab to regularly test… and focus not just on bacterial presence, but also on antimicrobial resistance,” Padilla said.
Manila will roll out clean water stations and hygiene kits for small vendors in high-risk zones. A public campaign will also urge buyers to report dirty stalls.
UP Manila Chancellor Dr. Michael Tee hailed the city’s fast response as a model for turning research into real action.
“One of our best partners really is the City of Manila,” Tee said.
WARNING: Drug-resistant bacteria don’t respond to common antibiotics. Buying palamig? Look for the new MHD hygiene certificate once it’s out.
ia/xf
