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[av_heading heading=’2 a.m. curfew brings peace to Smallville ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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ILOILO City – The 2 a.m. curfew imposed on establishments dispensing alcoholic beverages appears to be working at least at Smallville Complex in Barangay San Rafael, Mandurriao district, according to the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO).
Since the curfew began on Dec. 14, the ICPO had not recorded any trouble at the popular strip of bars, nightclubs, restaurants and hotels.
“Our policemen are grateful. Zero incident sa dira nga area. Establishments at Smallville are thankful, too,” said Mayor Jose Espinosa III.
Prior to the curfew, policemen were unable to prevent trouble from happening at Smallville. Most of those involved in past incidents were inebriated youngsters.
Under Executive Order (EO) No. 146, all establishments in the city serving intoxicating liquor have to close by 2 a.m. The “unregulated dispensation” of these drinks resulted “in the improper and harmful conduct and behavior of consumers,” according to Espinosa.
Tasked to enforce the mayor’s EO were the ICPO and the city government’s Public Safety and Traffic Management Office (PSTMO).
Espinosa said he would “study” what to do with the 20 establishments the PSTMO recently caught violating the 2 a.m. curfew.
According to Jeck Conlu, PSTMO chief, the operators of these establishments would be summoned by the city hall’s Business Permits and Licensing Office and asked to explain.
“They would be made to execute a memorandum of undertaking nga pwede sila i-subject for closure kun liwat mag-violate,” said Conlu.
The mayor is keen on making the new policy a norm for businesses engaged in the dispensation of alcoholic beverages. The EO would be deemed an additional condition for these establishments when applying for business permits.
The Iloilo Business Club, however, expressed reservation on the curfew. The city’s tourism industry may be adversely affected, warned Lea Lara, executive director.
Restaurants and hotels – which almost always have bars – are among the local tourism industry’s key players.
But Espinosa asserted the authority of the city government citing Section 16 of Republic Act 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991). It stated: “Every local government unit shall exercise the powers….for its efficient and effective governance, and those which are essential to the promotion of the general welfare.”
On Dec. 3, a young man was shot to death at Smallville. The victim was 24-year-old Rey Myr Tan of Lawaan Village in Jaro district. The suspect, 22-year-old Vanlen Jyro Joseph Hulleza of Barangay Sambag, Jaro, was arrested.
The police chief of Mandurriao, Chief Inspector Juvy Navales, expressed support to the 2 a.m. curfew.
“We have to limit the time customers stay at Smallville to avoid commotion,” said Navales.
She also pressed for all establishments at Smallville to have functioning security cameras and security guards.
“Security cameras are important and very helpful in solving crimes,” she said./PN
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