Bar slapped with P200T fine

CEBU, Philippines —  Two Cebu City uptown establishments were caught serving liquor to minors during a surprise inspection. One of them stands to pay a fine of over P200,000.

Cebu City Ordinance No. 1413 (Liquor Licensing Ordinance) prohibits all bars, beerhouses, and karaoke lounges within a 100-meter radius from schools and churches from selling liquor, especially to minors.

Last Friday night, the Cebu City Anti-indecency Board led by Dr. Lucille Mercardo conducted a surprise inspection of establishments on Ma. Cristina St. and found two serving liquor to minors.

She was accompanied by personnel from the Cebu City Police Office, City Business Permit and Licensing Office (BLPO), and the City Liquor Licensing Division.

One establishment was serving alcoholic beverages to 43 minors when Mercado's team arrived for the surprise inspection.

As reported by the City PIO, the establishment's fine is P5,000 per minor, or P215,000.

The joint inspection team  is expected to submit its full report to the Cebu City Treasurer’s Office(CTO) tomorrow, Nov. 28.

After the inspection, Mercado observed that minors in the city have a misconception that they are already allowed to drink alcoholic beverages when they reach 18.

In Cebu City, liquor cannot be served to anyone below 21 years old.

Last month, the City Council, through a resolution by City Councilor Rey Gealon, pushed for an intensified monitoring of different establishments following reports that minors were already served liquor.

This also came after Mandaue City's BPLO warned six establishments after they were caught selling liquor to minors last Sept. 29.

Meanwhile, the PIO also reported that another establishment, this time on Osmena Blvd., was caught operating with expired regulatory permits, particularly on liquor, sanitation, and fire inspection.

The CTO would be the one that would formally communicate with the concerned establishments regarding their violations and equivalent penalties.

The joint inspection team also reminded other establishments on the rules and guidelines that they must follow for them to legally conduct their business.

Aside from fines, erring business establishments could face revocation of license and permit, which would eventually bar them from operating their business. /RHM. (CEBU NEWS)