Cebu City establishments planning to hold a sale urged: Follow health protocols, coordinate with LGU
A sale in a shoe shop along Samson Road in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City draws throngs of people early Wednesday morning, November 11, 2020, with queues reaching up to Gorordo Avenue, Cebu City. | Photo courtesy of Michael Pugoy Arong (file photo)
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Cebu City Business Processing and Licensing Office (BPLO) urged establishments, which will be holding a sale of their products in the coming Christmas season to coordinate with the local government unit (LGU) and the barangay should they conduct a sale activity that may potentially draw crowds.
This was the agency’s request following the mass gathering incident during a promo sale at a shoe store in Barangay Lahug on November 11, 2020.
Read: Shoe store has until Monday to explain ‘multiple violations’ — BPLO
BPLO head, Lawyer Jared Limquiaco, said that even though it would not be mandatory to ask the permission of the city to hold public promo sales, but in this time of pandemic, it would be most prudent to do so.
“Di man gyod kailangan nga mananghid pero if mocoordinate man gud sa atoa, makatabang ta nila og implement sa health protocols, makasend tag people to maintain social distancing,” said Limquiaco.
(It is not a requirement for them to ask permission from us but if they will coordinate with us, then we can help them implement health protocols, we can send people to help maintain social distancing.)
Limquiaco said that they had intensified the monitoring of the establishments as the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases had risen in the past seven days.
The establishments will be checked from time to time, and any reports of violations will be acted upon immediately.
Read: Cebu City gov’t orders indefinite closure of shoe store after failure to control crowd in 11.11 sale
Mayor Edgardo Labella urged the establishments conducting promo sales never to compromise the health and safety of the public.
“Ato gyod gipahimungnaan (We have warned them), observe the minimum health protocols. We will also conduct random checks,” said the mayor.
Read: Cebu City establishments urged to plan properly when holding sale
If any establishment incur violations, a closure order awaits them almost immediately. The mayor reminds them that the city can take back the permits issued to them if they refuse to follow the regulations.
Read: CLO to probe Lahug barangay officials for 11.11 sale incident
Meanwhile, for the shoe store, Labella already ordered an investigation on both the store and the barangay officials.
The City Legal Office (CLO) issued on Thursday, November 12, 2020, a show-cause order to the barangay officials, to make them explain why the incident happened.
Labella said he would wait for the results of the investigation before deciding the city’s next move on the issue./dbs
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