BACOLOD City – There is not that much nightlife yet in this city. The curfew and liquor ban are still very much in place.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia over the weekend issued Executive Order No. 2 series of 2021 extending the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) for the entire month of February.
Curfew hours shall be observed from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. while selling of alcoholic beverages will be allowed from 12 noon to 6 p.m.
Leonardia, however, made it clear that consumption of such intoxicating drinks is only allowed within private residences.
The Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) earlier called for the easing of the two measures aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Ending these restrictions, according to MBCCI chief Frank Carbon, would gradually ease the city to the “new normal” and slowly revive the local economy.
“Many businesses, including small and micro enterprises, were forced to close. As a result, many workers have either lost their jobs” or suffered from wage reductions,” MBCCI stated in its position paper issued last week.
“Lifting the curfew hours, as well as the liquor ban for those 23 years old and above will help spark evening business opportunities,” the group stressed.
Carbon noted that about 30 percent of the sector’s revenues come from night business.
“Relaxing these restrictions would further give way to the recovery of the metro’s pandemic-battered economy,” he reiterated.
Aside from lifting the curfew and liquor ban, the groups are pushing for other measures to stimulate local economic activity such as the implementation of price freeze and enforcement of suggested retail price on basic necessities./PN
