Drinking joints face closure

CEBU, Philippines - Many of the business establishments in Cebu City that are selling and serving liquors to their customers had been found operating without the required permits and may face possible closure days from now.

Acting city treasurer Ofelia Oliva had assigned some of her personnel to inspect the concerned business establishments, particularly those that are situated in the prohibited areas.

City Ordinance 1413, the liquor ordinance of Cebu City, prohibits the sale and serving of liquor in places within the 100-meter radius from the schools, hospitals, churches and public plazas.

Oliva is set to finalize her report before she will recommend to the city legal office the closure of the concerned establishments.

She said Councilor Hilario Davide III is planning to propose for the amendment of the existing liquor ordinance the reason why she was requested to submit her recommendations.

Under the proposed amendment, establishments that sell and serve liquor within the prohibited areas will be made to pay the annual special permit fee of P15,000 instead of P6,000 that is required in the original ordinance. Likewise, establishments that operate beyond 10 p.m. should be required to pay P7,500 instead of only P2,000.

Oliva also suggested that once an establishment is caught selling liquor to minors, both the establishment owner and the minor customer shall be slapped with fine. She proposed a fine of P5,000 for the establishment owner and P1,000 for the minor customer.

“Bahala na’g ang mga tiguwang malukapa sa kahubog basta dili lang ang mga minors,” Oliva said in jest.

Another city official said that while it is envisioned that the city should be business-friendly to encourage businessmen to invest to spur economic growth, it should not countenance any illegal business activities and should crash them at once by the full force of the law. — Rene U. Borromeo/WAB   (FREEMAN NEWS)