No booze on schools hours

It’s final. Establishments serving liquor within 100-meter radius from schools will only be allowed to sell and serve alcoholic beverages from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. for bars and from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. for restaurants.

Yesterday, the Liquor Licensing Commission (LLC) of Cebu City announced the strict implementation of a city ordinance that regulates the selling of alcoholic drinks.

More than 60 owners of bars, restaurants and convenience stores attended the meeting called in the mayor’s office yesterday where the announcement was made.

City Hall has expected to encounter opposition from the bar owners , but the LLC said they have even modified the policy’s implementation. “Closure man gyud unta ilang atubangon pero ato lang gihatagan og time (We were supposed to close down these establishments but we gave them time instead),” said Msgr. Achilles Dakay, LLC chairman.

The order was effective immediately and will last until December, when the business permits of these bars and restaurants expire, Dakay said.

Opposition

Several restaurant and bar owners expressed resistance toward the policy of the commission.

“Some of our customers are call center agents who come to unwind and drink before the time you propose that we start serving,” said Christian Cuenco, owner of Song Hits Family KTV.

A representative of Our Place restaurant on Pelaez corner Sanciangko streets said that most of their customers are foreigners who usually order beer even in the morning.

Majority of the body agreed that this policy would cause the establishments to lose their customers and their profit as well.

However, Mary Ann Suson, a member of the LLC, made it clear that this rule is only temporary.

“This isn’t a “period.” Let’s try this for now. If it doesn’t work out, we can try other suggestions. But for now, let’s try to do this,” Suson stressed.

“We’re not trying to close you down, we’re only trying to regulate serving of liquor,” she added.

Suson said that this step taken by the commission is for the general welfare of society and is primarily concerned in protecting the morality of the youth.