Bar in Sanciangko faces closure due to night noise

A bar along Sanciangko St. in Cebu City whose owner is reportedly the son of a barangay councilman was given until today to answer complaints filed against them by neighbors for allegedly violating the city’s anti-noise pollution regulations.

The City Legal Office issued a notice to Mr. Jer Resto Bar in Sanciangko St. after the complaint was endorsed to City Hall by Kamagayan barangay captain Celestino Avila.

Avila said the owner of Mr. Jer Restobar, Diogenes “Jerome” Avila, is his nephew.

“His father, councilman Tito Avila is my brother. There have been a lot of complaints against the establishment. But even if we’re blood-related, they still don’t respond,” the chairman said.

City Legal Officer Jerone Castillo said his office issued a warning letter to the management not to feature live bands to entertain their customers without securing a mayor’s permit.

The Sept. 14 handwritten letter of complaint by a certain Allan Mercado, owner of Bethsaida Home located beside the bar, stated that his tenants have moved out due to the noise.

“Ever since Mr. J Restobar was built, my tenants (all students) were assaulted by the noise from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. My tenants can no longer study and sleep on time because of the noise,” Mercado said in his letter.

Vibrations

Mercado said he talked to a certain Tito Avila from the bar, but management only installed sound-proofing in the bar.

Barangay captain Avila forwarded the letter to the mayor’s office.

A team from the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) inspected the bar last Sept. 21 and 22 and found out that Mr. J Restobar was registered as Mr. Jer Restobar in their records.

CTO’s tax mapping division records showed that the place is registered under the name Diogenes Avila.

The bar operates an eatery, sells and serves liquor despite a disapproved liquor license application.

The bar on the ground floor is enclosed while the unenclosed roof deck is where a live band performs.

The inspectors said the noise caused the walls of the five-story Bethsaida Home to vibrate.

Unpaid

The bar was issued a temporary permit last January 9 which was valid for 30 days.

“They have a remaining unpaid balance of P86,250,” said Juanita Monina Paires, head of the CTO’s tax mapping division. “They are definitely within 100 meters (from a school). We will be expecting a response from them,” Lucelle Mercado of the Cebu City Liquor Licensing Commission (CCLLC) said.

City Ordinance 1413 or the Liquor Licensing Code of Cebu City mandates that no liquor license will be issued to any commercial establishment located within a 100 meter radius from any school, hospital and church. /Jose Santino S. Bunachita, Correspondent