CLOSED FOR BUSINESS As workers and clients of one of the erring Chinese restaurants look on, officials of the Parañaque business permits and licensing office implement a closure order. —(FILE) PHOTO COURTESY OF PARAÑAQUE PIO
MANILA, Philippines — Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez on Thursday reminded Chinese establishments to include English or Filipino translations in their signages, menus and other printed communications or face closure.
“Mayroon kaming ordinance na kailangan yung mga karatula nyo di lang Chinese characters, dapat ay may either English or Filipino translation so kailangan mag-comply sila,” Olivarez said at the sidelines of the launching of the Project Express Lane Operation at the Parañaque City Hall.
“Kapag hindi sila nag-comply dito, naka-close sila. Pero kapag nag-comply sila, bubuksan natin ang business nila,” he added.
In June, Olivarez ordered the closure of 18 Chinese-owned or Chinese-managed restaurants and business establishments for violating the city ordinances.
Some of the establishments, meanwhile, were found to be operating without the necessary business permits.
READ: 18 Chinese restos, firms shuttered in Parañaque City
The closure was ordered in view of reports that these Chinese establishments were only catering to Chinese nationals, with its signages and menus written only in Chinese characters.
“Binigyan na namin sila ng notice to comply. Until hindi sila nagco-comply sarado po ang kanilang tindahan,” Olivarez said, adding that some of the establishments have since re-opened after assuring that they would comply with the ordinances.
Further, Olivarez reminded both local and foreign establishments in the city to abide by the rules, which also cover sanitation and working conditions.
“Yun pong ating mga establishment, either owned by local or foreign, they should abide by our ordinance. So kailangan mag-abide sila. Yung kanilang septage, yung kanilang sanitation yung mga working permit nila, business permit nila,” Olivarez said.
“Ang ating sanitation inspector, BPLO (business permit and licensing office) inspector, umiikot po yan that they do have to comply with all the permits and all the ordinance of the city of Paranaque. Basta hindi sila nag-comply, ipapasara natin sila kailangan lang may due notice,” the mayor added. /jpv