Glenn Paolo A. Goopio
January 29, 2011, 12:00 am
Her premise –- never mind the approach –- if I am not mistaken acknowledges the fact that non-sanitation is a trend. Therefore, it shouldn’t be that much of a ruckus to find the exact same thing behind the cafeteria’s counter. That is correct. Most food establishments indeed rarely follow sanitation codes. It is also no secret that while roaches and bugs occasionally pester our home-cooked viands we, nevertheless, heartily gobble them. Truly, why bother?
This column addresses the sentiments that are aware, accepting, and excusing of the error of the cafeteria regardless. For the purpose of clarity, we shall dissect and discern the above logic one by one.
First of all, not everyone is poor. But even if everyone were, that certainly does not suggest they are unclean. That would be insensitive and discriminate. Hygiene, after all, is a choice free of association and social status.
I once spent a whole day with a foster family at the landfill during my high school immersion and believe me, even the poorest of the poor know better not to make pigs of themselves. I could tell by half the soap, the recycled broom, and stocks of dishwater they keep on the sides. See, your mother wasn’t just bossing you around. She simply understands the fundamental relationship between you and clean set of plates. I may not be one to rightfully condone those who choose to live otherwise, as we all do tend to pig out occasionally, but we owe it that much to the only planet we are given. At any rate, we really ought to leave our dirty, home-grown practices, well, at home. It is not even a question of discipline, but of jurisdiction. Who is to say, that because you have poor hygiene, the rest of the world should follow?
Secondly, the lack of sanitation in food establishments is a mistake –- obviously. You can blame that to the politicians at the Executive Branch who have done poorly implementing the Constitution. Even still, it does not deem the lack of sanitation any wee bit acceptable, because we –- and this the pro-cafeteria mob better remember –- live in a civilized world. In the same sense that we cannot wear our pajamas to class, we too are governed explicitly by regulations that demand propriety. Trends may occasionally encroach on policies, but that does mean they are henceforth inexistent. If anything, it is our culture that often errs. But that is another story.
So, to answer the question, why bother? We bother because sanitation rules are not properly implemented and there are millions of other establishments still that continue to do so. We bother because what you do not know can and will harm you. We bother because we are poor and we are hygienic. Most of all, we bother, even all the more now, because the cafeteria has laid off 40% of the Persons Program students in an extraordinary act of retribution.
Alas, the claim has been laid, and the burden of proof goes to the accused. A given. I, on the other hand, would like to make a suggestion. If the cafeteria truly wishes to redeem itself, it ought to do one thing: be transparent. They can start by reinstating the Person Program, because the students do not deserve any less for exposing the truth. Prove to us that you are following sanitation regulations; apply open kitchen designs in your new location at the StC lobby. Finally, issue a memorandum, addressed to the student body, claiming that you have formulated better policies. The Crusader, in return, will publish it. As the Editor-in-Chief, you have my word.
