More establishments with no permits shuttered

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

SEVEN more bars in Iloilo City were ordered closed for lack of business permits.

The same establishments also violated the provisions of Executive Order (EO) No. 46 or the “General Bar Guidelines” for nightspots and other business establishments in the metro.

On Monday, Mayor Jerry Treñas issued “closure orders” to the following establishments:

1. Code White Restobar
2. Bay Point
3. Saja Restobar,
4. Deoso Restobar
5. El Amigo Stambayan Restobar
6. Hide Out Restobar
7. El Bae Restobar

All seven establishments are located at Brgy. San Rafael, Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

In his order, Treñas cited Section 240 of Regulation Ordinance 2007-016, which states that “it shall be unlawful for any person to open any business, trade, or calling, or begin any profession in the City of Iloilo without first paying and obtaining a Mayor’s Permit, License or Privilege Tax or to continue the operation of the same for the ensuing year and have any stock in trade without first paying the graduated of fixed taxes, fees, or changes or rentals imposed under this Ordinance”.

A composite team of the city government composed of Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO), Task Force on Moral and Values Formation (TVMF), Iloilo City Anti-Smoking Task Force (ICAST), and Public Safety and Traffic Management Office (PSTMO) served the closure orders Monday evening.

Meanwhile, all seven establishments were directed to secure a Business Permit and comply with the provisions of EO 46.

“You are hereby directed to secure a Business Permit; comply with provisions of EO 46; pay the corresponding penalties of the City Treasurer’s Office; and secure a clearance to operate from the BPLO before allowed again to open your business,” the mayor said in his order.

This was the second time that establishments in the city were closed for failure to comply with EO 46.

Last week, nine establishments were also shut down for five days for failure to install CCTVs in their areas, lack of security guards and bouncers, and for serving alcoholic drinks to minors.

To recall, Treñas’ EO 46-2019 repealed EO 146-2017 which placed a 2 a.m. curfew on nightspots.

Under EO 46, “General Bar Guidelines” was formulated for strict compliance of owners and operators of bars and establishments in the city.

Some of the guidelines include that 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 or security cameras shall be installed inside and outside the premises and shall be functioning at all times; serving of alcoholic drinks to minors is strictly prohibited and strict compliance of the city’s ‘No Smoking Ordinance’, among others.

The EO also imposed a one-strike policy on any violations of the provisions and will immediately be a ground for the cancellation of business permits and/or closure of bar establishments.