Convenience stores ‘violate’ ordinance

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government is meeting today the management of convenience stores, especially 7-Eleven outlets selling liquor within 100 meters from schools and hospitals.

City Administrator Lucelle Mercado said the city specifically wants to have the Visayas franchise head of 7-Eleven, which opened branches all over the city at a rapid rate.

Mercado said the Cebu City Liquor Licensing Commission has decided to call the attention of the said convenience stores after the city government noticed that many selling to and serving liquor to students.

“We are just implementing City Ordinance 1413 or kaning Liquor Licensing Ordinance,” she said, when asked why the meeting was called.

CO 1413 states that “no liquor license shall be issued to any person, partnership, firm or corporation whose place of business is within the residential zone of urban areas and within 100 meters from the perimeter or property boundary line of any school or hospital.”

“Last year, there was already an agreement between 7-Eleven management and the city government nga ipa-pull out na gyod ang liquors kay dili pwede. Ang 7-Eleven gyod ang niingon nga ilang i-pull out and karon ato nang pangutan-on kon kanus-a ipang pull out and if tanan ba nga stores nila ang i-apil nila,” Mercado said.

“Katong outside sa 100-meter (radius), pwede mo-sell pero dili pwede i-display. Pero atong tan-awon sa meeting kon unsa ilang i-suggest kon tanan ba nga branch nila ipang pull-out ang liquors or ang sa establishment lang nga duol sa schools,” she added.

Mercado said that the said store has opened 300 branches last year in areas that are mostly located near schools.

The talk, she said, happened last November 15; she, however, said the city is not singling out 7-Eleven.

“Dili lang kana nga store. The ordinance applies to all convenience stores especially to those that are located within the 100-meter radius of schools,” Mercado said.

She said that the city government is only protecting the welfare of students and the youth in calling the convenience stores to a meeting.

“Kon dili mo-follow sa atong ordinance, makapa-close ta ana after three notices,” Mercado said.  (FREEMAN)