EO 46 RIPS EO 146: 2 a.m. liquor ban lifted

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

EXECUTIVE Order (EO) No. 146-2017 which mandates the closure of all bars and similar establishments in Iloilo City by 2 a.m. has been revoked by Mayor Jerry Treñas.

Treñas issued EO 46-2019 on Monday to formally repeal EO 146 issued by former mayor Jose Espinosa III.

EO 46 takes effect today, Aug. 6, 2019.

The mayor said EO 146 was imposed in 2017 following the surge in violent incidents at nightspots and other leisure areas.

“There were rising number of bars, night clubs, disco bars, and establishments which engaged in the unregulated dispensation of liquor or other intoxicating drinks even during wee hours of the morning and even at daytime which resulted in the improper and harmful conduct and behavior of the consumers,”  he added.

But Treñas said that these incidents have already declined over time.

The mayor added that Iloilo City has become a center of business and is continuing with progress with the help of tourists and investors.

He said that a General Bar Guidelines was formulated and will be implemented by owners and operators of bars city.

The guidelines, which were included in EO 46-2019, are:

• All establishments must have their own security guards/bouncers to secure their respective premises
• Body search and frisking of bags shall be implemented strictly on everyone who enters their premises
• CCTVs shall be installed inside and outside the premises and shall be functioning at all times
• Serving of alcoholic drinks to minors is strictly prohibited
• Strict compliance of the city’s ‘No Smoking Ordinance’
• Unruly customers shall no longer be served with alcoholic drinks
• Customers who are trouble-makers, shall be blacklisted and banned from their premises
• Active members of the Police and the Military forces are allowed entry inside the bars on official business.

Under the new EO, a one-strike policy shall be imposed where any violations of the said provisions will immediately be a ground for cancellation of business permits and/or closure of bar establishments.

Moreover, Treñas emphasized that any establishment shall face the same punishment if they are found or reported to be engaging in the selling, trafficking or dispensation, of illegal drugs or any prohibited substances as defined under Republic Act. No. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).

The City Hall will also close down establishments and cancel their permits if they violate RA 9165.

The provisions of the EO will be subjected to any future directive or order of the President and shall be immediately amended pursuant to the order, the mayor said.

In his fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona) two weeks ago, President Rodrigo Duterte pushed for a law requiring midnight curfews on leisure establishments in the country.