The Iloilo City Council has approved an ordinance regulating the operation of food trucks and mobile food kiosks, paving the way for safer, more organized, and business-friendly street food ventures in the city.
The measure, authored by Rudolph Jeffrey Ganzon, establishes clear guidelines to ensure compliance with public safety, sanitation, and traffic regulations while supporting the growth of the local food industry.
Under the ordinance, all food trucks and mobile food kiosks are required to secure permits from the Business Permits and Licensing Division before commencing operations.
The regulation covers vendors operating kiosks exceeding two feet by four feet, motorized food trucks equipped with mobile kitchens, and portable carts or stalls used for preparing and selling food.
Ganzon emphasized that the measure recognizes these mobile enterprises as legitimate businesses that generate employment and promote Ilonggo cuisine and tourism.
“We acknowledge food trucks and mobile kiosks as emerging drivers of economic activity. They create jobs while showcasing Iloilo’s vibrant culinary culture,” he said.
To safeguard public welfare, the ordinance prohibits food trucks from operating within 20 meters of schools, hospitals, churches, and other sensitive institutions, unless special permits are granted.
Vendors are likewise barred from setting up in designated no-vending zones and in areas that obstruct traffic or pedestrian flow.
The new regulation is expected to professionalize the mobile food sector in Iloilo City, striking a balance between economic opportunity, urban order, and public safety.IMT
