Baguio City is stepping up its efforts to ensure food and water safety in response to recent food poisoning cases. The City Health Services Office (CHSO) has reported four incidents, the most recent on January 5, 2025, which affected nine tourists dining at a restaurant on Kisad Road. Investigations revealed that the kitchen used water sourced from outside Baguio, prompting further scrutiny of water sources used by food establishments.
Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes, speaking to the Philippine News Agency, emphasized that the CHSO’s sanitation division will maintain its regular inspections and monitoring. These measures are part of a broader strategy to safeguard public health, especially during peak tourist seasons like the Christmas holidays of 2024, which did not see an increase in diarrhea or other food-borne diseases.
The city’s proactive approach follows a significant gastroenteritis outbreak during the 2023-2024 holiday season, which impacted around 2,000 individuals. In response, the city government has been urging food establishments and handlers to remain vigilant and prioritize public safety to prevent similar incidents in the future.