CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu City Councilor Rey Gealon urges the Cebu City’s Business and Permit Licensing Office to monitor business establishments around school zones after some establishments were caught selling liquor to minors in the neighboring city of Mandaue.
According to Gealon’s proposed resolution, the Mandaue City’s Business Permit Licensing Office and Mandaue City Police Office caught six business establishments located across a university at the North Reclamation Area, selling liquor to minors last September 29, 2023.
READ: 6 stores in front of Mandaue university ordered to stop selling liquor – BPLO
Moreover, in the copy of his resolution sent to CDN Digital on Monday, October 9, Gealon cited the Cebu City Ordinance No. 1413, or the Liquor Licensing Ordinance.
The said ordinance bans all bars, beer houses, and karaoke lounges within a 100-meter radius from schools and churches from selling liquor.
Gealon, who is also the chairman of the council’s Committee on Laws, Ordinances, and Styling, said that the ordinance is important because it ensures that no liquors are sold to minors who are still going to, or coming from, schools.
“There is a need for Cebu City’s Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) to continuously monitor the business establishments around school zones in the city and ensure that they are not selling alcoholic beverages,” Gealon said in his resolution.
Gealon told CDN Digital on Monday that the establishments should not sell liquor to minors.
“Kay di na pwede pero rampant kaayo mao ning matintal mga estudyante intawn,” the councilor said.
(Because it is not allowed but it is rampant that’s why these students are tempted.)
Moreover, Gealon said that initially, the store owners have to be warned of the violation.
“Should they not accede to the warning, suspension of their license to sell liquor and alcoholic beverages is in order. If they persist, revocation of that license is the remedy – thereby effectively incapacitating them to engage in that business,” Gealon said.
/bmjo