ILOILO City – “We might have to close all resto bars starting tomorrow up to the end of the month.”
Mayor Jerry Treñas said this on Sunday, acknowledging that “we cannot police all the bars in the city.”
A total of 13 establishments in this southern city were ordered close recently for violating the liquor ban.
Treñas expressed dismayed over this blatant disregard of his executive order that set guidelines for the city’s general community quarantine.
Treñas lamented said the several establishments kept on violating the ban on alcoholic drinks despite several warnings.
“There are certain rules we just have to follow. Closure orders will be served on violators,” said Treñas.
The city mayor further lamented that the operators of several erring establishments were known to him.
“I am so disappointed,” Treñas said.
He emphasized that during this pandemic, the city government cannot allow restaurateurs and bar operators to make a joke of the public health safety protocols.
Nestor Canong, chairperson of the city government’s Task Force on Morals and Values Formation and a member of the composite team formed by Treñas to run after erring establishments, said three of the 13 establishments were padlocked on Nov. 12.
These were Kap’s Resto Bar, Pigadong Sosyal Resto, and Happy Touch KTV Bar.
Earlier, Hungry Belly Resto and Little Farmers Coffee Brim were closed down for lack of business permit.
Friday last week, 10 more establishments were padlocked for violating the liquor ban. These were Lannai Grills, Ontah Mumtah, Kwennnel’s Resto Bar, Daff Resto Bar, Miyong’s Seafoods & Native Dish, Ciela KTV Bar, El Calle Resto Bar, Ex Cue Billiards, Mang Tinapay, and Love & Kisses Pizza./PN
