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[av_heading heading=’BIZMEN COOL TO CURFEW Wrong ‘cure’ to Smallville security woes? ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ 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 Iloilo Business Club (IBC) appears unenthusiastic of the two proposals which aim to maintain peace and order in the city – the 2 a.m. curfew for restaurants and bars at Smallville Complex and the 1 a.m. cutoff in the sale of alcoholic beverages throughout the metro.
Other options should be explored because the city’s tourism industry may be adversely affected, warned Lea Lara, executive director of IBC.
Restaurants and hotels – which almost always have bars – are among the local tourism industry’s key players.
“I hope the business establishments would be consulted. Their views must be heard because the proposals cover their clientele,” said Lara.
Mayor Jose Espinosa proposed the closure of establishments at Smallville – a popular strip of bars, restaurants and hotels in Barangay San Rafael, Mandurriao district – by 2 a.m. following the Dec. 3 fatal shooting of a young man in the area.
Councilor Joshua Alim, meanwhile, suggested that the city government regulate the sale of alcoholic beverages – only until 1 a.m.
“Basi indi sia bala right nga sabat or move (to address our peace and order concerns and) in the process maapektuhan mo ang industriya mo sa Iloilo,” said Lara.
Other options should be considered, she stressed, adding that “the issue here is responsible drinking.”
“I hope this should be factored in discussing the proposals,” said Lara.
Policemen have been unable to prevent trouble from happening at Smallville. Most of those involved in past incidents were inebriated youngsters.
“Our authorities should look into the age of those frequently nagakadakpan. Kon youth man gid, maybe it is about time mag-introduce advocacy sa mga youth that gapasobra inom,” said Lara.
Under Regulation Ordinance No. 2016-230 that imposes a curfew on minors from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., it shall be unlawful for business establishments (restaurants, nightclubs, motels, dancehalls, amusement places such as Internet cafes, video arcades, karaoke bars, billiard halls, beach resorts and other similar establishments) to admit minors within their premises during curfew hours, and sell to these minors alcoholic beverages.
Violating business establishments shall be meted with the following sanctions:
* first violation – written notice of warning
* second violation – imposition of a P5,000 fine
* third violation – closure of the establishment for three days
* fourth violation – closure of the establishment for five days; and
* fifth violation – revocation of business permit.
However, no business establishment, most especially at Smallville, has so far been taken to task for admitting minors and selling them liquor even if the area is known to attract even under-aged clients.
It also remains unclear if these business establishments have measures in place to make sure only those of legal age can enter their premises.
This paper reported in August that minors continued flocking at Smallville late into the night despite the curfew and some used falsified identification cards to pass themselves off as 18 years old or older.
According to George Duron, head of the city government’s Task Force on Morals and Values Formation, security officers of Smallville establishments claimed having a hard time ascertaining the real age of young people entering, and the authenticity of the identification cards being presented to them./PN
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