BAGUIO CITY – The Baguio Association of Purified and Mineral Water Refillers, Inc. (BAPMWR) marked its 10th year recognizing the founding initiators last Aug. 23 at the Supreme Hotel.
With the theme, “Celebrating 10 Years of Providing Safe and Clean, Affordable Potable Water in Every Home,” the BAPMWR continues to ensure the safety and purity of drinking water being processed by refilling stations of the association in the city of Baguio.
The association recognized former city health officer Dr. Florence Reyes, Nick Guanzon, Engr. Arthur Killip and Engr. Guadencio Tiwing, Jr. of the Department of Health.
Also feted are Atty. Nellie Olairez, Edison Ang, Lydia Lo, Eliza Banangan, Teresita Estacio, Engr. Florence Cardenas, Mila Obillo, Arch. Narciso Obillo, David Abad, Alejandro Agpes, Roberto Belda, Eduardo Cervantes, Nelson de Ayre, Joel Escobar, Luzviminda Onia, Jesus Tamale, Zenaida Real and Adelfa Mendoza.
Special award was also given to Arch. Narciso Obillo for designing the BAPMWR logo and to Zenaida Real and Adelfa Mendoza.
BAPMWR president Atty. Olairez stressed that to sustain the quality of drinking water, they conduct annual inspection of all water refilling stations in coordination with the City Health Services Office to make certain that refilling station owners are complying with the provisions of the Sanitation Code of the Philippines.
It has been reported that there are more than 300 refilling stations in Baguio, however, around 120 are licensed and compliant with the Sanitation Code of the Philippines.
So as to protect the association as well as consumers, the BAPMWR together with the HSO are religiously monitoring and inspecting water refilling stations if the owners have complied with the permit and seal requirements.
With the proliferation of colorum water refilling stations in the city, executive assistant Rafael Tallocoy urged the BAPMWR to monitor and police their own ranks and reports any violations with the health and sanitation standards imposed under the existing rules and regulations to prevent the health of the consumers from being compromised.
Water refilling stations operating without the necessary requirements will be fined P2,000 for the first offense and temporary closure of the establishment; P3,500 fine for the second offense and 20 days imprisonment; and P5,000 fine for the third offense and 30 days imprisonment and permanent closure of the establishment.
Meanwhile, the HSO has imposed a set of procedures to be followed by water refilling stations as regards their source of supply and the phases in the purification process as well as the possible replacement of old containers./Jho Arranz
