‘Chinese-only’ food park closed indefinitely

MANILA, Philippines — The food park in Las Piñas City that allegedly catered to only Chinese citizens would be closed indefinitely, an official said yesterday.

Wilfredo Gaerlan, who heads the city government’s business permits and licensing office, told The STAR in an interview that a business permit was issued to the entire China Food City food park but not to around 30 stalls in it.

He said the owners of these stalls should individually secure permits from various offices before they can reopen for business.

The city government issued the permit in February to comply with Republic Act 11032, which ensures the ease of doing business.

Gaerlan said they were also assured by the owner, whom he did not name, that the food park would be open to the public by mid-May.

He said under RA 11032, a business that complies with initial requirements is allowed to operate and it is then “we inspect if the business is fake.”

However, with the surprise inspection led by Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez last Thursday, Gaerlan said he would abide by Lopez’s recommendation to suspend the food park’s operation due to various violations.

Gaerlan said some stalls issued receipts printed in Chinese while others did not have oil and grease traps, which cause wastewater to flow straight into a nearby creek.

Some stalls were also seen to have turtles that would allegedly be served as food, he said.