BPLO warns establishments: Follow liquor ban or else

Cebu City BPLO head Lawyer Jared Limquiaco

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Cebu City Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) is warning establishments that will violate the liquor ban that they will lose their business permits in the process.

BPLO Head, Lawyer Jared Limquiaco, said in a phone conference that the BPLO will be fully implementing the liquor ban today, February 3, 2021, following the order of Mayor Edgardo Labella on Tuesday.

This means that any establishment serving liquor to customers will be in danger of losing their business permits in violation of the ban.

Exemptions are made for groceries and retail stores selling liquor to customers for private consumption, but they must also police their premises and ensure customers don’t drink inside or outside their establishment.

If customers are seen outside their stores drinking liquor bought from them, this will also be considered a violation of the liquor ban.

“Liable sila sa ilang immediate premises so dapat mopolice sa ilang customers. Common sense na na,” said Limquiaco.

The BPLO has already revoked two liquor permits prior to the ban and an establishment is also facing another revocation but is still undergoing the due process.

“If moviolate sila, atong buhaton irevoke gyod nato ilang business permit. Mao na dili nalang gyod moserve,” said the BPLO head.

Limquiaco assured that violating establishments will still undergo due process and will be issued showcause orders prior to the revocation of their permits.

The BPLO will also continue to work with the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) for the Oplan Bulabog, which aims to monitor health protocol compliance for establishments in Cebu City. /rcg