Caloocan City bans drinking liquor along streets, at corners

MANILA, Philippines—Following the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s expanded anti-smoking campaign, the Caloocan City government steps up a campaign against a vice that comes with smoking—drinking liquor in the streets and sidewalks.

Caloocan Mayor Enrico Echiverri said Sunday the city government would intensify the implementation of a local ordinance that has prohibited residents from drinking alcoholic beverages out in the streets.

The mayor sees the ban on drinking sprees on the city’s pavement as a good way to lessen street violence and crimes, which have often involved drunk men.

“With the strict implementation of this ordinance, we can expect fewer street fights, brawls and crimes in our streets. We therefore appeal to local residents to follow the law so that they won’t be inconvenienced,” Echiverri said in a statement e-mailed Sunday.

Based on ordinance no. 0937 series of 2005, anyone that will be caught having booze on the street will be promptly arrested by authorities, risking possible jail time and payment of fine.

Echiverri reminded the public that depending on the court’s ruling, the violator may be fined anywhere between P1,000 to P5,000 and placed behind bars for two months up to a year.

The only instances that drinking sprees would be allowed are during special occasions like birthdays, baptismal, weddings, wedding anniversaries, Christmas, New Year and others. Even so, the residents have to secure a permit from their respective barangay hall at least a week before the occasion.

The same ordinance also forbids the sale of any liquor to minors.

The mayor also directed his order to the enforcers of this ordinance, the Caloocan police, city officials, members of the city council, barangay officials and watchmen.