Hotels, restos, foreigners, room service not exempted from Sinulog liquor ban

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña yesterday reiterated his warning to business establishments within the 300-meter radius from the Sinulog Grand Parade route to adhere to the city’s liquor ban, saying even foreigners and room service schemes are not exempt.

The parade route includes New Imus Road, M.J. Cuenco Avenue, General Maxilom Avenue, Fuente Osmeña, Osmeña Boulevard, R.R. Landon Street, entrance gate of the Cebu City Sports Center passing the Sinulog grandstand, exit gate at P. del Rosario Street side, N. Bacalso Avenue, old Citilink Terminal, and P. del Rosario Street.

Osmeña said the city government will go after revelers and owners of establishments who will be found violating the ban, which will run from 6 a.m. on January 21 to 6 a.m. on January 22.

He said police will apprehend drunken people along the parade route and detain them inside Kaohsiung buses that will serve as mobile jails.

As to the penalty against restaurants, hotels, and other business establishments caught selling liquors, Osmeña said: “Closed for one month, one year, forever. It depends on the severity of the violation. If there’s clear abuse and defiance, it will be closed forever.”

He said all establishments along the Sinulog route will be totally prohibited from selling alcoholic beverages, whether inside or outside their establishments, on January 21.

“Restaurants are not exempted. Hotels are not exempted. Foreigners are not exempted. Room service is not exempted. The 300-meter is a kill zone,” the mayor told reporters at a press conference yesterday.

The liquor ban is contained in Osmeña’s Executive Order No. 30, which seeks to regulate business establishments and vendors during Sinulog Festival 2018.

While admitting that the city government does not have enough personnel to monitor the policy, he said his personal number (09173299999) is open to receive complaints and reports from the public.

Osmeña said parade goers who are under the influence of drugs and alcohol will be apprehended if they misbehave.

“We have to run the city by rules. Even if they think it’s too much, go to Mandaue, go to Talisay. Warning to everybody, I’m a crazy guy,” he said.

Osmeña then asked the owners of hotels, restaurants, and other establishments to inform their guests of the city’s regulations ahead of time.

He said he will not mind if several people will criticize him for imposing the liquor ban and the entertainment ban. To his detractors, he said, “get lost and get out of Cebu.”

Councilor David Tumulak, deputy mayor for police matters, meanwhile, said 221 barangay environmental officers (BMOs) and volunteers will roam around the parade route to enforce all environmental ordinances and issue citation tickets to people who throw their garbage anywhere.

“Gitagbo na nato ang mga organizers and representatives pod sa contingents kay apil pod sila nga dapat mo-follow sa atong ordinances,” he said.

Aside from liquor ban, an entertainment ban will be also in effect within the 300-meter radius of the Sinulog parade and procession route on January 19, 20, and 21. (FREEMAN)