Tagbilaran City Proposes Free Water for Restaurant Customers

A city councillor of Tagbilaran has proposed an ordinance that would require all food outlets in Tagbilaran City to provide free drinking water to customers.

Fausto Budlong, chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, filed the proposal on September 4, arguing that it is the responsibility of food establishments to provide safe drinking water to diners.

Under the proposed ordinance, restaurants and other food outlets that refuse to provide free water would face fines.

The move comes as some food outlets in the city have been charging customers for water, with some asking patrons to buy water from in-store dispensing stations.

"It is a basic right that food establishments provide free service water to their customers," Budlong said. "This is a basic necessity that should be provided to all customers, regardless of the cost of their meal."

The proposal is expected to be debated by the city council in the coming weeks.

In the Philippines, it is common for restaurants to provide free water to customers, but some establishments have started charging for this service in recent years.

The proposed ordinance is seen as a move to protect the rights of consumers and ensure that they are treated fairly by food outlets.