6 stores in front of Mandaue university ordered to stop selling liquor – BPLO

A cease-and-desist order to sell liquor has been served to owners of six stores in front of a university in Mandaue City. | Mary Rose Sagarino

MANDAUE CITY, Philippines — At least six stores in front of a university in Mandaue City were served cease-and-desist orders from selling alcoholic beverages by the the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO).

These establishments are prohibited from selling of liquor, especially to minors, under prevailing city ordinances. 

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Serving liquor during inspections

Lawyer Walter Shane Lumbre, BPLO inspection division head, said that they served the order after they were seen selling and serving liquor during their inspections.

Moreover, they have also received complaints from parents and the school.

Lumbre said that people usually gather to these establishments at night which was also according to the police.

“Ang daghan population gikan gyud sa school. However, naa mi nakita nga from other schools. I think it is because of the connection, ilaha’ng amega, friends, cousins, they would just hang out kay ang place popularized naman. Mag-inom sila, naa pa gale music, lights,” said Lumbre.

(Most of the population are from the school. However, we also saw students from other schools. I think it is because of the connection, their friends, cousins, they would just hang out because the place is popular too. They will drink there. There are music and lights there.)

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Not of legal age

“Ang amoang nakit-an, unfortunately, kay in school uniform, nagsul-ob pa og ID. Ang uban obviously dili gyud sila of legal age,” he added.

(What we saw, unfortunately, because they were in school uniform, they were even wearing their ID. The others, obviously, are not of legal age.)

The inspection division head said that there were some stores, who do not have a business permit and were already ask to obtain during the given time.

Lumbre said that there were two of the six stores that were previously given licenses to serve and sell liquor. 

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Informed not to serve minors

However, he said that even though they were able to obtain the licenses, they were already informed that they were not allowed to serve to minors.

“Before mi mo-release sa amo permits, amo jud na sila i-remind ug i-inspect especially mga bars and restobars kay naa man tay ordinansa nga dapat regulated gyud ang sale of alcoholic beverages. However, one of the precautions o ilaha mga ways to verify if minor ba gyud kay amo sila i-remind nga in case if naa silay doubt, always check the IDs, if dili sila magpakita that’s the point nga dili sila i-allow og entry,” said Lumbre.

(Before we release our permits, we really remind them and inspect especially the bars and restobars because we have an ordinance that are really regulated and sale of the alcoholic beverates. However, one of the precautions or their ways to verify if these are really minors, is to remind them just in case if they have doubt, always check the IDs, if they would not show their IDs, then that’s the point that they would not allow them entry.)

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Allowed to only serve food

He clarified that the businesses ordered for cease and desist order for serving liquor are still allowed to operate given that they would only serve food.

“Mocomply gyud ta mao man mando sa Mandaue government. Naay (mo-request og ilimnon) pero mismo sa amoa kahibaw mi nga bawal, mao na nga main gyud namo nga business is food, ang liquor, sumasideline lang gamay pero karun nga gi-ban na, wala nami nagserve,” said Kert Flores, owner of an eatery and one those issued cease and desist from selling alcoholic beveragies.

(They should comply to the order of the Mandaue government. There (are those who request drinks) but us we know that it is prohibited that is what our main business is food, liquor, it is just the sideline but now it banned already, we have not served it.)

“Mutuman mi sa mando kun ingun nga dili. Wala lang sad mi pareha karun amo giserve nga pagkaon na lang, unya ang mga liqour nga gidili gipull-out,” John Christopher Horca, staff of a resto bar in the area.

(We comply to the order if you say no. We would just not serve now only food, and the liquor that is prohibited had been pulled out.)

Lumbre is reminding business to follow the law to avoid sanctions and penalties.