BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Restaurants in this city will soon be allowed to serve alcoholic beverages.
The city’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and several business groups came to this agreement but subject to several conditions.
Frank Carbon, chief executive officer of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), said they have already met with the EOC and both groups agreed that restaurants, including those inside hotels and carinderias, will be allowed to serve alcoholic beverages from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. only.
Moreover, establishment owners shall serve the beverages to individuals aged 18 years old and above, he added.
Drinking is also limited inside the establishment’s premises.
“We will take responsibility nga ang tanan nga health protocols ma-maintain gid, kay ang kaayuhan mabalik sa amon una-una and dason sa aton man syudad,” Carbon said.
He, however, made it clear that these conditions were only set for restaurants, and those classified as videoke bars and beer houses are still not allowed to serve alcoholic beverages.
During their meeting, the MBCCI and EOC also agreed to retain the 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia has yet to issue an executive order over the agreement, Carbon said.
Earlier, the business group appealed to the city government to lift some restrictions including the curfew and alcohol ban, in a bid to hasten the recovery of businesses in the city./PN
