‘PARTY TO THE NEXT LEVEL’: Treñas to repeal EO on 2 a.m. liquor ban

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

WITHOUT doubt or hesitation, Mayor Jerry Treñas announced on Friday that he will repeal Executive Order (EO) 146-2017 which imposes liquor ban on bars and night clubs when the clock strikes 2 a.m.

According to Treñas, he is now finalizing the repealing EO.

“I will revoke it and actually ginapreparahan ko na ang pag-issue sang EO subong nga hapon,” he said in an interview on Friday.

The mayor said that he decided to repeal EO 146 after the police assured him of the peace and order in the city amid prolonged parties and drinking sprees.

He added that the city government will be supportive in intensifying security and safety protocols in the city.

“The police they have assured me that we will be able to handle it. We will also conduct checkpoints if necessary. We will give nine additional patrol cars and may ara man 21 police auxiliaries which will be endorsed to the Philippine National Police (PNP) kag sila ang ma-train, 15 additional plaza guard and 15 additional tourist guards,” he said.

All in all, 51 force multipliers will assist the police to monitor and maintain the peace and order after the repeal of EO 146, according to Treñas.

 

ONE-STRIKE POLICY

But the repeal has a caveat or condition: a one-strike policy will be implemented on bar establishments that are unable to maintain peace in their premises.

Treñas said that he will immediately close down or revoke the business permits of bar owners and operators once he receives a report of violation on the agreed guidelines set by City Hall and business owners.

“Ang akon hambal sa ila nga kon madakpan nga ga-serve alcoholic drinks sa minors or drugs, waay sila security guards, CCTVs and other measures, we will have a one-strike policy. Pagbaton ko sang isa ka report sang violation, pasira ko dayon,” he warned.

Meanwhile, Jim Velez, president of the Iloilo Smallville Business Association, said they presented to the mayor a manifesto signed by all bar owners in the city.

The manifesto lays down 10 guidelines that must be followed by bar owners and operators to ensure safety and security of their customers.

“I presented the manifesto to him and may dinagdag lang siya na five that makes it 10 guidelines to be followed. Ang pinakagrabe dun is one-strike policy, if you will not follow the stated guidelines, either ma-close ka or ang business permit mo will be revoked or not renewed,” he said in a phone interview on Friday.

Velez thanked Treñas for repealing EO 146, adding that bar owners have suffered heavy losses since its implementation.

“We are very, very happy because the EO was repealed kasi talagang nag-slow ang business and talagang madami ang nalugi sa aming sector. But now that is lifted we are very thankful to the mayor,” he said.

With the repeal, Velez assured that they will support the mayor’s slogan “Level Up, Iloilo” and promote the city as a premier MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Events) destination.

“We are going to make Iloilo city to the next level, yun yung sabi niya so we are very supportive of that and so we will help make Iloilo as the prime MICE destination. Kung maging MICE destination kailangan ang entertainment hindi limitado sa time,” he said.

Velez added that they will soon set a meeting with the police to again plan the added security measures in the metro.

“Ang importante lang the peace and order is at the most or given very high priority sa mga establishments,” he said.

Treñas assured that the repeal “is without prejudice” once the President issues an order mandating the closure of bars and establishments by midnight.

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

The city hosts 117 bars and similar establishments, according to Velez.