Probe Confiscates 28 ATM, Coffee Dispensers,Food Stalls, Chairs

Twenty-eight coin-operated water dispensers locally known as Automated Tubig Machines (ATM) were confiscated by the Cebu City Hall personnel Thursday during the first day of campaign against water vending machines installed in sidewalks as these are threat to public health.

Aside from the 28 ATM’s, the members of the Prevention Restoration Order Beautification Enhancement (PROBE), also confiscated two coin-operated coffee dispensers and two units of refrigerators that obstructed the sidewalk.

City Health officer Stella Ygoña insisted to strictly implement the provisions of the Sanitary Code of the Philippines after it was found that the diarrhea cases in Barangay Pahina Central were caused by contaminated water dispensers installed in the city streets.

The group, composed of three teams with about seven to eight members each, went to Osmeña Boulevard as well as the streets of Sanciangko, Pelaez and Jakosalem.

They were able to confiscate 19 automatic tubig machines (ATMs), two coffee vending machines, and three refrigerators improperly installed at the sidewalk blocking pedestrian passage.

The clearing team resumed operations past 2 pm in V. Gullas, Manalili and Colon streets confiscating more than five ATMs.

Operators of these may claim their coin-operated machines at the PROBE office at the CitiCenter after paying P500 and attending an information campaign seminar tackling their violations and corrective measures.

Along the way, PROBE chief Raquel Arce apprehended violating ambulant vendors.

Ambulant food and candy stalls, establishments whose chairs and equipment encroaches the sidewalks were also confiscated.

“Apprehending these ambulant vendors in this part of downtown Cebu City is part of our daily task. The vendors in this area are regulated. They’ve been notified and explained about the standard size of stalls that the city is tolerating,” Arce told reporters.

The city government will not confiscate stalls not bigger than the standard size of two feet by three feet and height of four feet, the PROBE chief reiterated.

“They know about these things because we have been constantly reminding them about our restrictions. But they keep on violating. That is why we are confiscating their stalls. Otherwise, these will be back shortly after we leave,” said Arce.