Manila gov’t imposes liquor ban for 2023 Sto. Niño festivities

FILE PHOTO: Thousands of devotees during Mass in Tondo, Manila, for the Feast of the Sto. Niño (Child Jesus) on January 17, 2021. wearing masks and face shields. PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER/MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines — The local government of Manila will be imposing a liquor ban in barangays within the areas of authority of two parishes in Tondo and Pandacan from January 12-15 in line with this year’s festivities for the Santo Niño (Child Jesus).

Manila Mayor Honey Lacuña on Thursday issued Executive Order (EO) No. 3, which prohibits the sale of liquor and other alcoholic beverages within the territorial jurisdiction of the Santo Niño de Tondo Parish and Santo Niño Parish Pandacan “to promote peace and order in the city” as it commemorates the annual feast.

Drinking of liquor and other alcoholic beverages in public areas like streets and alleys is likewise disallowed during the period, according to the mayor.

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“Similar to the liquor ban for the celebration of the [Feast] of the Black Nazarene, the EO covers the barangays surrounding the churches po ng fiesta,” the Manila Public Information Office said in a text message to INQUIRER.net..

In 2022, then-Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso similarly prohibited the sale of liquor and other alcoholic beverages in all barangays during celebrations for Santo Niño de Tondo and Santo Niño de Pandacan.

Festivities for the Sto. Niño, or Holy Child, is observed in the two parishes every third Sunday of the year.

READ: Manila prohibits Sto. Niño rites this year

Due to the pandemic, Moreno’s previous directive likewise banned physical activities such as religious processions, street parties, parades, street games, and other mass gatherings.

KGA