by Peter A. Balocnit

TABUK, Kalinga (23 October) -- Several business establishments here are expected to be ordered closed for violating local ordinances and state laws.

Tabuk Mayor Camilo Lammawin Jr. announced during their regular Monday flag raising that business establishments, particularly canteens found violating the law must be closed. Enforcing the law in its term and spirit is the best assurance of building a strong republic, he said.

Laws must be given teeth to let people think otherwise, thereby teaching them to refrain from operating illegal businesses, he said adding ‘we must all do our obligations and responsibilities by complying with the law and follow the established order’.

Municipal Administrator Laurence Bayongan said canteen owners and other food shops operating in Tabuk violated the agreement granting them the exclusive permit to operate as a canteen. He said some canteens were made into entertainment dens and women are hired as escorts.

The safety and welfare of consumers must be protected, Bayongan said consonant with the celebration of consumer welfare month.

These women offering physical comfort are possible carriers of sexual diseases so the urgent move to rid Tabuk from sexually transmitted diseases (STD), hence the issuance of the closure order which is still pending for further study, he added.

Municipal Health Office report show that more than half of the 31 food servers who underwent vaginal grains stain were found positive of STD. Of the total, 13 are outsiders and 18 are locals whose ages range from 18-37 years old.

The greatest fear of parents and school administrators is the possibility that their children and students might be victims of this social ill, Tabuk National High School Principal Dr. Rodolfo Ballog said.

Aside from no permit to operate, some are not paying rentals, are going beyond closure time and offer services other than food and refreshment, Bayongan said. He said most were converted into videoke bars and the sell spirited wine, liquor and beverage.

During a recent peace summit, drunkenness was found to be the major cause of trouble in Tabuk. Parents and school administrators had been complaining that students cut classes and instead enter in these canteen-turned bars.