Liquor shops operating san spermit told topay penalties

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Treasurer’s Office will send a demand letter today to some business establishments that failed to pay the penalties imposed on them after they were caught operating without the necessary permits from the City Hall.

City Treasurer Ofelia Oliva said that of the 20 stores that were apprehended during a joint saturation drive last week, only a few of have paid the penalties as of yesterday.

With this, she said a demand letter will be sent today to the owners of these stores to oblige them to pay or face the consequences.

The Cebu City Police Office and CTO implemented City Ordinance 1413 or the Anti-Liquor Ordinance that resulted to the apprehension of these establishments. The violations include failure to secure business permit, non-posting of business permit, selling and serving liquor to minors below 21 years of age and others.

Oliva said that business establishment owners will be given only until Friday to settle their obligation or come up against a situation. She said they will not hesitate to close down these establishments if continue to ignore the demand letter.

“Amo lang tagaan ug demand letter, due process ba, unya ug dili gihapon ni mubayad within 3 days, amo nang i-recommend for closure,” Oliva said, adding that once the establishment is closed, the owners can possibly be charged in court for their violations. 

Oliva revealed that the CCPO and CTO joint inspection team may operate again anytime this week to check other beer joints in the city.

The city treasurer is appealing to business establishment owners to comply with the requirements on selling liquors to avoid any problem.

It was learned that aside from the joint inspection team, CTO is also conducting tax mapping activity in the city. This is to check whether business establishments are operating with the required permits and ensure they are paying their business taxes.

Tax mappers will also recommend for closure of the establishments if owners fail to meet their recommendations in a given period of time. – Elly Bolonos/WAB   (FREEMAN NEWS)