17 bars in hot water

CEBU, Philippines - At least 17 business establishments have been asked to explain why they violated the rules set the Cebu City Government for the Sinulog Grand Parade.

Chairman on Public Order and Safety, Councilor David Tumulak told reporters yesterday despite prohibitions on street parties, these establishments held parties, put up loudspeakers outside their buildings, and used their parking lots as an extension of their business.

With this, he asked the Cebu City Police Office and City Treasurer’s Office to look into the matter. Tumulak said he asked CTO to participate because they are in charge of business permits.

“There are some establishments nga tikasan. Ila permit is specifically dira ra sa perimeter. Inside the structure. Mao na gibuhisan. Pero some of the establishments, ila gi-occupy ang parking space. Gibutangan nila’g table, no taxes kay ang tax kadto rang property sa parking gamay ra kaayo. Pero nagpahimos sila kay hasta parking space gibutangan og lamesa, unfair sad na sa city,” Tumulak said.

The FREEMAN tried to call CTO acting head Tessie Camarillo but she was not available for comment yesterday.

Tumulak roamed around the city during the Sinulog Grand Parade to ask violators to shut off their loud music, but many of these establishments did not follow orders.

In all 17 business establishments situated along F. Ramos Street, Mango Square, and Juana Osmeña Street violated the rules set by the city government.

He said these establishments contribute to unruly revelry.

“Pasalamat gani ta wa’y dagkong panghitabo niadto kay if duna pa’y nahitabo they are also liable kay sila may nag-awhag nga marisgo ang mga batan-on. Nihangyo baya unta ang city government ngadto nila just for one day. Out of 365 days only one day gi-require sa city government. There are also four bars nga ni-follow sa order sa mayor. Ang uban gahi gyud,” Tumulak added.

Earlier, Mayor Tomas Osmeña said there will be a cancellation of business permits of violators for 30 days.

Like Tumulak, Osmeña did his own monitoring in the city that day. He also went to Backflip Restobar after he received reports that there were too many people there and they were going wild already.

“Backflip Resto, the bar that thought it would be cute to turn the music back up after I left, is also going to lose its business permit,” his post read.

“The management of Century Plaza is going to have to explain why they shouldn't have their building permit cancelled for violating the Building Code. They illegally closed off their parking lot less than 24 hours after I specifically warned them not to,” the post further read.

Osmeña said the city government did not lack in terms of informing the establishments in the city about the implementation of the rules because they already announced these ahead of time.

Based on records, Tumulak said only four establishments heeded the rules of the city. These are the Alejandro’s, J. Ave in Mango Square, Lyrics and KTV Bar along General Maxilom Avenue, and Handuraw. (FREEMAN)