San Juan City bans minors from bars

The San Juan City government have started the strict enforcement of an ordinance banning minors inside KTV bars and other entertainment establishments during curfew hours for the youth from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Councilor Dante Santiago, the main proponent of Ordinance 54, series of 1996, said the move is intended to protect minors and the preservation of their morality, values and ethics.

“The city needs to enact additional rules and regulations that will reinforce and strengthen existing ordinances pertaining to the protection of minors,” said Santiago.

Owners of erring establishments will pay the corresponding fines: first offenders will pay P1,000, second offenders will pay P1,500 while for the third offense the city government will revoke the establishments’ permit to operate for one year.

Under the said ordinance, minors are prevented from entering KTV and videoke bars, video arcades, billiard halls and similar establishments during the curfew hours from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Santiago said entertainment areas usually lure minors even during the curfew hours of the city.

“Now, we shall penalize them (KTV bar owners) if they admit minors after 10 o’clock in the evening,” said Santiago.