Noise, lack of permits lead to bars' shutdown

CEBU, Philippines - The Lapu-Lapu City government has closed down 16 karaoke bars in the city for their failure to secure business permits and for reportedly violating the city's anti-noise ordinance.

Antonio Utrera of the City's Advocacy for Responsible Enterprise has already served the closure orders to seven karaoke bars located along Maximo Patalinghug Avenue in Barangay Pajo and Barangay Gun-ob last week.

Nine karaoke bars located in Barangay Pusok were also shut down Friday evening after the city government received, through a social networking site, complaints from concerned citizens on the noise created by the establishments.

The closure orders implemented by Utrera and signed by Mayor Paz Radaza stated that as per ocular inspection and monitoring made by CARE, it was discovered that these establishments have repeatedly violated Ordinance No. 117-2002 or the ordinance regulating the commercial use and operation of karaoke, videoke, sing-along, minus one, music box, other similar machines or contraptions.

Officials said before the closures were served, these videoke bars had been repeatedly warned by the City's Task Force to comply and observe the ordinance, especially its provision on the allowed time of operation. 

Since their premises are not sound proof, they are only allowed to operate their videoke machines up to 10 o'clock in the evening, but as per repeated inspections on Feb. 10 and Mar. 1, owners have allegedly disregarded the same.

Utrera said one of the conditions set under their business permits is that the "permit shall be revoked at any time for violations of any laws, rules and regulations by the holder without any need for further written order from the city."

Thus, their business permits have been revoked and their business ordered closed effective immediately.

Miraflor Alegado, owner of Myra's Videoke below the new bridge, was irked saying she has not been warned up to the third offense, saying she only met Utrera once. She vowed to complain against the closure order which she deemed "unfair."

Myra's Videoke, which has three rooms, was filled with customers when the closure order was served by the Task Force assisted by police and barangay tanods.