Erring establishments to be closed for 6 months

SINULOG LIQUOR BAN

Business establishments caught selling liquor on the day of the Sinulog parade will be shut down for six months.

This was announced by Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña on Monday, saying this is his “fair warning” to everyone including those who plan to go on a drinking spree.

Although the executive order on the liquor ban has not been signed yet, Osmeña said it is going in that direction.

“Don’t give excuses anymore,” he warned affected establishments.

As it is being finalized, the EO will include banning liquor and parties within the 300-meter radius of the Sinulog 2018 route. The liquor ban will take effect from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on January 21, a Sunday.

Osmeña said the EO hopes to avoid a repeat of last January’s incidents where wild and unruly crowd stomped on vehicles and poured beer on Sinulog revelers. Drunks, some of them teenagers, were also found sprawled unconscious on the streets.

The resulting chaos prompted City Hall to issue closure orders on a couple of establishments.

Osmeña said he is only interested in maintaining order on the day of the city’s premier religious festival. To ensure an orderly celebration, he said, there has to be an element of fear.

“I don’t want anyone to be punished. I am just telling them that if you get caught, we will close you for six months,” he said.

The police force will help in monitoring the situation. Osmeña said the Philippine National Police (PNP) will be instructed to help maintain order and spot erring establishments.

Buses which will be used as detention cells will be placed along crowded areas, especially Mango Square and Juana Osmeña St.

The mayor added that even hotels along the parade route will not be allowed to serve liquor to their customers.

“And if you are a hotel, not even a room service,” he said.

He also warned that owners of sari-sari stores (variety stores) caught selling liquor may be arrested.