The Baguio City government has begun enforcing the newly approved Baguio City Sanitation and Environmental Health Code, aimed at strengthening hygiene standards, improving waste management, and ensuring cleaner business operations citywide.
Approved by the city council on October 27, Ordinance 86-2025 establishes a comprehensive framework for safeguarding public health and protecting the environment through stricter regulation, permitting, and monitoring of establishments.
“It is designed to strengthen public protection and environmental cleanliness through stricter regulation, permitting, and monitoring of establishments and activities,” said council information officer Jordan Habbiling.
The move follows last year’s acute gastroenteritis outbreak that affected residents and tourists, prompting officials to modernize outdated sanitation regulations and address emerging health issues.
To complement the ordinance, the city launched Oplan KASILYAS (Kalinisan at Sanitation Inspection sa Lahat ng Yunit at Serbisyo) on October 1, 2025, led by the City Health Services Office (CHSO) and Public Order and Safety Division (POSD). The program conducts regular inspections of restrooms, handwashing facilities, and overall cleanliness in establishments.
In its first month, 179 businesses were cited for violations such as lack of employee health certificates, poor kitchen sanitation, and absence of protective equipment. The CHSO targets 100 percent compliance by March 2026.
The new code mandates strict adherence to food safety, waste segregation, water testing, and disease prevention. It also regulates sewage, drainage, animal control, healthcare waste, and burial practices to prevent pollution and ensure humane standards in animal-related businesses.
City officials said enforcement will continue under existing programs while the ordinance’s implementing rules and regulations are being finalized.