Noisy bar ordered closed by city

For playing loud music and disturbing the neighborhood, a bar in barangay Kamagayan, Cebu City was ordered closed by City Hall.

Mr. Jer Restobar in Sanciangko Street was also found to have violated tax and liquor ordinances, according to city inspectors.

“They have an unpaid balance of P86,250,” said Juanita Monina Paires, head of the tax mapping division of the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO).

The bar was issued a 30-day temporary permit last January 9.

The closure order dated Oct., 2013 and signed by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama was served to the establishment last October 11. However, the order has yet to be implemented by City Hall’s Prevention Restoration Order Beautification Enhancement (Probe) team.

“We haven’t received a copy of the closure order yet but we will implement it as soon as we get a copy,” Probe chief Raquel Arce told Cebu Daily News.

The Cebu City Liquor Licensing Commission (LLC) wants the order implemented as soon as possible.

“City Hall is preoccupied with the earthquake and its aftermath. But within this week, after the barangay elections, we will definitely padlock the establishment,” said Lucelle Mercado of LLC.

The move stemmed from a September 14-complaint by Allan Mercado, owner of Bethsaida Home beside the bar whose tenants moved out because of the noise.

The letter was forwarded by Kamagayan barangay captain Celestino Avila to the mayor’s office.

The bar is owned by Diogenes “Jerome” Avila, the barangay captain’s nephew. The nephew and his father Tito Avila are running as councilmen in a party against the incumbent captain Avila.

City inspectors went to the bar and noted its violations of of the Antii-Noise Ordinance and other ordinances. /CORRESPONDENT JOSE SANTINO S. BUNAHITA