BAGUIO CITY April 07 – The local legislative body approved a resolution imposing liquor ban in the city during the ongoing implementation of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine as part of the government’s overall efforts to fight the dreaded Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
Further, the resolution authored by all the members of the local legislative body enjoined all business establishments in the different parts of the city not to sell liquor during the quarantine period as one of the precautionary measures in ensuring the compliance of the residents to the strict policy on social distancing.
Local legislators pointed out that drinking alcohol, which is one of the major components of liquor, reportedly lowers the resistance and makes human beings susceptible and vulnerable to pneumonia and respiratory illnesses that could eventually compromise the health of the said individuals who frequently drink liquor.
According to the resolution, there had been numerous reports that there are residents who had been doing drinking sprees in their households even in the implementation of the policy for people to stay home which defeats the purpose of the same among other reasons.
The imposition of the temporary liquor ban in the city is an initiative of the local government to strengthen the ongoing efforts to compel people to stay at home and observe the policy on social distancing to prevent the possible spread of the deadly virus in the city considering that the city was able to record 14 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 1 death.
The city’s liquor ban will help in concretizing the non-selling of liquor by the establishments similar to what had been done in the different local governments in Luzon that are covered by the enhanced community quarantine.
The local government warned erring establishments who continue to defy the prevailing liquor ban that administrative sanctions will be imposed against the owners, particularly the suspension or outright revocation of the business permit that was issued to them, depending on the gravity of the offense that was committed.
On the other hand, the local legislative body called on concerned residents to report to the concerned offices of the local government erring business establishments that continue to defy the prevailing liquor ban so that appropriate monitoring could be done to guide decision makers and policy makers on the penalties that will be imposed against the owners to serve as a concrete example that the city means business in instituting disciplinary measures against violators of existing policies during the enhanced community quarantine period.
Personnel of the City Permits and Licensing Division of the City Mayor’s Office continue to monitor the operation of different business establishments in the city, especially those selling liquor, so that the dispensing of liquor will be prevented and ensure strict compliance of people to the policy on staying at home and social distancing.
By Dexter A. See
