Three establishments in La Trinidad, Benguet were closed on July 17 due to violations such as serving alcoholic drinks to minors.
The Office of Legal Services, La Trinidad Municipal Police Station, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, municipal council and barangay officials closed Africana Bar, Tumbabeg Bar and Restaurant, both located at Palangdao Building at Km. 4, Pico; and Inarixhack Bistro in Betag.
Municipal Legal Officer Victor Singa, Jr. said the establishments continued to serve liquor to minors despite earlier warning and notice of closure for their violations.
Singa said there are also other establishments serving liquors that were found to be operating without business permit.
Operators of these establishments were given warnings and were told to process their business permits.
Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Apolinario Bagano, Jr., who was also part of the earlier closure operation, proposed to amend Section 7 of Ordinance 06-2013, which regulates the operation, management, and maintenance of bars, restaurants, and other similar places of entertainment serving alcoholic beverages.
Bagano said the amendment aims to impose a higher penalty to bars and establishments owners accommodating minors by serving liquor and wine.
“In the past few months, I received reports that there are minors still wearing their uniforms and ID cards inside the bars. We cannot tolerate that kind of behavior from the establishments,” Bagano said.
In the ordinance, the penalty for the first offense in serving liquors to minors is P1,000.
Bagano said the proposed amendment seeks to impose a stricter policy against establishments serving liquor to minors such as automatic closure and non-renewal of business permits. – Ofelia C. Empian