EVEN room service in hotels isn’t exempted from Cebu City’s liquor ban which takes effect on Sinulog day next Sunday.
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña reiterated this yesterday, saying that hotels and restaurants within the 300-meter radius of the Sinulog Grand Parade route are covered by the liquor ban.
“Liquor ban is liquor ban. And that includes room service and inside hotels and restaurants. If you get caught, you will be closed,” he said.
Osmeña’s order prohibits stores from selling liquor starting at 6 a.m. on Jan. 21 to 6:00 a.m. on Jan. 22.
The mayor said business owners must understand that the order will ensure an orderly celebration of the Sinulog. He said they should apologize to their guests in advance.
“(The sanction) is closure. Close it for one month, one year. Close it forever. It depends on the severity of the violation,” Osmeña said.
If there is a clear abuse and defiance of the outlet, it will be shut down for good, he said.
Even foreign tourists are not excused from following the rule.
If they are caught violating the policy, they will be arrested for unruly behavior, Osmeña said.
“We want an orderly Sinulog. There are some foreigners criticizing me (for the ban). I say to them, get lost,” he said.