Davao City mayor gets tough on liquor ban violators
by RG Alama
Davao City (31 March) -- Going around the City past 3 a.m. last Sunday, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte witnessed beforehand the wanton violation of a City ordinance prohibiting the sale and serving of liquor past the prescribed time of 2 a.m.
As a result about 20 establishments were closed pending an investigation to be conducted by the City's Business Bureau.
Atty. Jopee Agustin-Avanceņa, Business Bureauy chief said that about 18 of the establishments were located in Prime Square complex along the City's famed Torres Street nightspot. Two other establishments were located along Quirino Avenue.
Avanceņa said that these bars and restaurants will be subject for investigation. Their past records will be dug up if they have previous violations.
Aside from liquor ban violations, several breaches were cited among them were violations of anti-smoking ordinances, no business permits and the holding of prohibited ledge dancing shows. Avanceņa said that most of these establishments were in fact subject for closure order.
During a meeting with the affected bar owners and the business bureau, the City Mayor scolded the owners for willfully defying such city ordinance. Pleas of the owners were parried by the Mayor to the business bureau chief.
Avanceņa said that under the Mayor's directive, a deeper investigation will be conducted on each of the affected bar. And for now, their business permits are cancelled. (PIA XI) [top]
