BAGUIO CITY – The Baguio City Council has recently enacted an ordinance institutionalizing Clean As You Go in certain food-serving establishments in the city.
Clean As You Go or CLAYGO is a practice that encourages individuals to clean up after themselves immediately after using a shared space facility.
In the context of dining at food-serving establishments, CLAYGO requires diners to clean their dining areas, dispose of waste properly, and return items to designated places after finishing their meals.
Principally authored by Councilors Elmer Datuin, Benny Bomogao, Betty Lourdes Tabanda, and Maria Mylen Victoria G. Yaranon, the ordinance explains that it is important to instill positive values of good citizenship, proper dining etiquette, hygiene, and cleanliness among residents and visitors of the city.
The ordinance covers restaurants, fast food chains, cafeterias, eateries, bakeries, coffee shops, canteens, and similar public eating places in the city.
Under the ordinance, owners, proprietors, and managers of covered food establishments are mandated to encourage their patrons to practice CLAYGO.
Their specific functions include ensuring that diners clean their tables, providing designated areas for tray and utensil returns, installing CLAYGO signages and educational materials, and maintaining proper waste management with segregated garbage bins.
The ordinance states that fine dining restaurants offering premium services are exempted from practicing CLAYGO.
This exemption recognizes the different service levels and atmospheres these establishments provide to their customers.
The City Health Services Office (CHSO) is tasked to conduct inspections to ensure compliance with the provisions of the ordinance.
Individuals who fail to adhere to the regulations set forth by the CLAYGO Ordinance will face penalties.
Those found violating Section 3.a. will incur a P500.00 fine for each infraction.
This section mandates customers to tidy up their dining tables and dispose of used items in designated bins.
Similarly, Section 3.c. requires food establishments to provide a minimum of three garbage bins for biodegradable, non-biodegradable, and recyclable materials.
These bins must be covered, lined with plastic, and placed away from food preparation and cooking areas, as per existing environmental and waste management ordinances.
Offenders under Section 3.c. will be subject to escalating penalties: P500.00 and a notice of violation for the first offense, P1,000.00 and a notice of violation for the second offense, and P2,000.00 and a notice of violation for subsequent violations.
These establishments covered by the ordinance will be given a 90-day grace period to comply.
This interim period will allow for the implementation of necessary measures and adjustments to ensure smooth adherence to CLAYGO practices.
The ordinance has been transmitted to the City Mayor’s Office to be signed by Mayor Benjamin Magalong before its implementation.