The City Council has decided Monday to continue with the lifting of liquor ban in Puerto Princesa despite the motion of Councilor Elgin Damasco requesting Mayor Lucilo Bayron to re-implement the restriction during the general community quarantine (GCQ).
City Vice Mayor Nancy Socrates, in an interview Monday after the regular session, stated that she gave the councilors two options.
“Actually kasi naalala niyo noong parang privilege hour pa lang nakita ko na parang hati talaga sila so kaya nag-decide kami ni Atty. [Philip Jerome Hilario]. Kasi ‘diba sa resolution ni Konsehal Elgin na hilingin kay mayor na ibalik ‘yong liquor ban – so [ang choices ay] either payag sila na ibalik or hindi sila payag na ibalik [ang ban]. Tapos ang naging resulta, ‘yon na ‘yong amendment sa GCQ guidelines na regulating the sale, purchase, and consumption,” said Socrates.
Out of the 11 city councilors present, four supported the re-implementation of the liquor ban; six voted against it; and one abstained from taking sides.
Those who expressed support for Damasco’s resolution are Councilors Nesario Awat, Myka Magbanua, and Jimmy Carbonell.
On the other hand, Councilors Herbert Dilig, Patrick Hagedorn, Victor Oliveros, Peter Maristela, Gregorio Ventura, and Matthew Mendoza gave nod to the lifting.
However, each of them expressed support for a proper regulation of liquor in the city during GCQ period and expressed belief that most citizens know how to drink responsibly.
Councilor Henry Gadiano shared his thoughts on the matter, yet abstained from voting.
Richard Ligad, the Anti-Crime Task Force (ACTF) head and City Information Officer (CIO) was also invited during the regular session.
Ligad said they have observed a huge increase in the number of response-related incidents and vehicular accidents after the liquor ban was lifted May 16 after the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period downgraded to GCQ.
“Kung ‘yong pagbabasehan natin ‘yong pagkakaroon natin ng ECQ lang kumpara doon sa pagkaka-lift, is talagang malaki ang ipinagbago kung ‘yong pag-uusapan ‘yong mga tawag ng responde, ‘yong mga vehicular accidents. Malaki ho talaga ang mga pagbabago. Masasabi ko na mas kaunti noong panahong naka-liquor ban tayo. Karamihan po away mga lasing, mga nakainom, parehas nakainom nagbatuhan, kalimitan naman hindi nagkaunawaan o ‘yong bahay niya binato ng lasing, mga ganoon ho,” said Ligad.
Under the amended guidelines for GCQ, which was agreed at the plenary, public consumption of liquor or any alcoholic beverages shall not be allowed.
Indicated in the guidelines also that liquor and alcoholic beverage may be consumed only in a household and by the members of the same household.
The sale and purchase of alcoholic beverage is limited only to the hours of 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Prohibition of sale and purchase of alcoholic beverages to minors shall also be strictly enforced.
Violation of the rules shall be imposed with monetary penalty of P2,000 for the first offense; P3,000 for the second; and P4,000 for the third.