Authorities have urged stall owners at a newly opened food strip in Dagupan City to get sanitary permits and health certificates or risk not being able to operate.

"We have to make sure that they are fit to provide the services as food handlers," Dr. Ophelia Rivera, Dagupan’s Health Officer, said.

The Sanitation Division of the City Health Office will inspect the stalls to ensure food safety.

"Kailangan i-comply kasi proteksyon niyo [ng mga food stall owner] din yan, at the same time, protection ng mga consumers," Rivera added.

Several stall owners at the food strip on Zamora Street have yet to get the sanitary permits and health certificates.

Despite being part of the city’s festival celebration since November 22, 2024, some vendors have not met the requirements.

"Sabay-sabay na lang [kukuha] sa Friday," Vilma Soriano, a food stall owner, said.

Soriano said the health certificates, known as the "blue card," need to be renewed as they were obtained originally during the Bangus Festival.

While Soriano assured their food is clean, using mineral water for cooking, health authorities warned that stalls may be shut down if owners fail to comply with health regulations.

The food strip will operate until February 22, 2025.