City Information Officer and Anti-Crime Task Force Head Richard Ligad stated in an interview that establishments selling liquor should ask for any form of document stating the customer’s age if they suspect the individual ordering an alcoholic drink is a minor. This measure came out after asking for his comment regarding the stabbing incident involving 3 minors that happened in Baywalk Area, Puerto Princesa City on the night of January 2.
“Kung alam nila’t nakita nila na menor o ‘di sila sigurado, hanapan nila ng tamang dokumento… Hanapan nila ng ID [yung customer] kung duda sila,” said Ligad.
Chaf Restobar owner, Jane Jao Hali, agrees on the statement that stricter measures should be implemented to ensure that establishments are not selling alcohol to under-age clients.
According to Hao,“Ang alam ko ay bawal sa mga menor de edad ang bibili ng alak kaya napaka-strict natin pagdating sa ganiyan… Kung ako siguro ‘yung masusunod, ipasara agad [yung mga establishments] kasi parang magiging useless lang kung bibigyan mo pa ng pagkakataon na makapag-operate ‘yung iba kapagka-alam naman nila na menor de edad, eh ba’t lumalabag sila diba?”
In an interview with the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) Tess Rodriguez, there is currently an ordinance for businesses serving alcoholic drinks. She also said that different departments of the government join forces to enforce this ordinance.
“Kasi may ordinansa na tayo na bawal magbenta sa mga menor de edad so dapat ipaigting ito ipatupad hindi lamang ng ating tanggapan kundi ng Philippine National Police at puwede rin ang baywalk management… Ang ating regulasyon diyan, kung sino ang nagpapainom kailangan meron silang security guard para magdetermine kung ‘yan ay minor o hindi….” said Rodriguez.