Kuerks restobar to be closed today

THE controversial Kuerks restaurant bar will have to cease operations starting today for violating the city’s tax and liquor ordinances.

Cebu City Legal Officer Jerone Castillo said staff already prepared yesterday the closure order for Mayor Michael Rama’s signature. A copy of the order will be served to Kuerks today.

“If you refuse to receive the notice from the city government that is already a waiver on your part to avail of due process,” he said.

Castillo issued a show cause order last week asking Kuerks management to explain in 72 hours why their business should not be closed for non payment of taxes and for operating without business and liquor permits.

While the management refused receipt of the notice, the 72-hour grace period granted them also lapsed Monday night.

Castillo met with other city lawyers yesterday morning to decide on their next action.

It was agreed during their meeting for the City Treasurer’s Office to post a copy of the notice on the wall of the restobar.

Another copy will also be sent to the owner through registered mail.

Mayor Rama directed Castillo yesterday to draft the closure order.

Kuerks will have to cease operations until they are able to comply with the city’s business requirements and settle their tax obligations.

“But I would like to clarify that we are not singling out Kuerks. We also issued closure orders to other violators of city ordinances,” Castillo said.

Acting City Treasurer Emma Villarete said in an earlier interview that while Kuerks is operating without a 2013 permit, they also have an unpaid amelioration tax of P723, 000 computed as of December 31, 2012.

Villarete said her office is yet to determine the business establishment unpaid tax due for 2013.

As this developed, the City Liquor Licensing Commission proposed amendments to the liquor ordinance to especially regulate the disposal of liquor near schools.

Msgr. Achilles Dakay, the commission chairperson, said they will incorporate in the ordinance a prohibition in the sales of liquor for gasoline stations located near schools.

They also wanted convenience stores within the school premise to only dispose liquor after 10 p.m.

Dakay said it is somewhat difficult to already regulate liquor sales near schools due to the issuance of business permits and special liquor permit to establishments.

He mentioned the case of the 7 Eleven store which is selling liquor near the University of the Visayas in downtown Cebu City.

“We inherited that problem with the previous commission,” he said.   /Chief of Reporters Doris C, Bongcac