16 businesses shuttered for violating liquor ban

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

 

BACOLOD City – The Bacolod City Emergency Operations Center (EOC) served 24-hour temporary closure notices to 16 business establishments here last Thursday for violating the liquor ban amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Major Sherlock Gabana, a member of the EOC, said yesterday that management and owners of these establishments were allowed to resume their operations on Friday night, but only limited to food and beverages, excluding liquor and other alcoholic drinks.

Gabana reiterated that liquors can only be sold to the public from 12 p.m. to 6 pm and can only be consumed at home or in private places.

However, the management of these establishments allowed their customers to consume liquor in the venues despite the prohibition, Gabana said.

“After we served them the notice, indi gid sila puwede ka baligya ilimnon, they should abide, or else we will recommend for the permanent closure of the establishment,” he added.

Gabana said that restaurants and bars with violations were located along Lacson Streets, Lizares Street, Downtown area, Capitol Shopping area, among others.

“Inasalan and sari-sari stores selling beside the streets are not even exempted,” he added.

Gabana said the EOC has a monitoring team to check if establishments follow the law.

He added that there will also be a random inspection in all establishments.