CEBU CITY – Cebu City has suspended a bar’s special liquor permit for holding a disco party last week amid restrictions to contain COVID-19.
The City’s Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO), upon the recommendation of the COVID-19 Emergency Operations Center (EOC), has suspended Clubholic Bar’s liquor permit until it converts into a restobar.
Clubholic is a nightclub and it needs to be physically changed to become a restobar.
“The temporary suspension subsists until such time that changes are made to convert the establishment into a restobar instead of a nightclub, to the satisfaction of this office, the Philippine National Police, and the EOC,” said lawyer Jared Limquiaco, officer-in-charge of the BPLO, in his resolution.
Limquiaco said Clubholic can still run while renovating, but it will only serve food.
“Only the special permit to serve liquor is suspended,” he said.
The BPLO, the EOC, and the police conducted investigations on the incident last May 14 and a resolution was issued on May 18.
The party happened a few days after Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella lifted the liquor ban in the city as the cases of infection began to slow down and as a way to revive the economy.
The Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7) has reminded the public that gatherings like discos are still banned even under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).
“That is a big no-no. We are in MGCQ but we are discouraging the holding of mass gatherings like discos,” said Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, DOH-7 spokesperson, in a virtual press briefing.