Osmeña: “Liquor ban” for next year’s Sinulog

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña is eyeing to impose a liquor ban in next year's Sinulog, if only to prevent having a rowdy crowd during the festivity.

This, as he asked those business establishments that openly defied his order of a "no street party" policy and not to use their parking lots as an extension to their business to explain why their permits should not be cancelled.

In Mandaue City, Mayor Gabriel Luigi Quisumbing will gather all resto-bar and club owners operating at the North Reclamation Area to discuss on improving their security measures and to prioritize the safety of their customers rather than thinking about profit.

"Of course it will be a one-step less than a martial law… no liquor at all," Osmeña told reporters yesterday.

With this, he assured that there will be a better Sinulog celebration next year.

Over the weekend, Osmeña personally roamed around the city to check if business establishments observed the "no street party" policy and not to use their parking areas as an extension of their business.

He, however, discovered that a restaurant at Century Plaza used its parking space as an extension of its dining area.

Osmeña said he already warned the establishment to stop using the parking area, since these spaces are intended only for vehicles.

This is also a violation to the Building Code of the Philippines, he said.

"The management of Century Plaza is going to have to explain why their building permit (should not be) cancelled for violating the Building Code. They illegally closed off their parking lot less than 24 hours after I specifically warned them not to," his Facebook post read.

The other establishment was the Backflip Resto Bar along Juana Osmeña Street, which Osmeña personally went to have its music turned off.

"Backflip Resto, the bar that thought it would be cute to turn the music back up after I left, is also going to lose its business permit," the same post added.

Because of this, he will send a letter to officials of the resto asking them to explain why they didn't follow city's policy considering that they were informed before the Sinulog festivity started.

Earlier, the city government informed business establishments that they are not allowed to hold party and other related activities outside their facility to prevent any unruly revelry.

Meanwhile, Quisumbing will summon resto-bar and club owners operating along the stretch of North Reclamation Area for allegedly falling short in the implementation of security measures.

Quisumbing observed during the weekend celebrations that some business establishments did not establish ground rules and that they do not have safety plans when emergency arises.

"I will soon be calling the owners of all the bars/clubs in Mandaue to a meeting to establish ground rules and to help them formulate safety/disaster plans as well as provisions for crowd control, fire safety, emergency exits and security personnel," Quisumbing said.

The mayor threatened to cancel their business permits if they cannot comply with the guidelines.

He said that some organizers are taking advantage of the religious celebrations by gaining more profits than focusing on the religious aspects and the safety and security of the Mandauehanons.

Quisumbing also commended and congratulated Osmeña for "a well-run, peaceful and meaningful Sinulog."

"In light of what happened in Cebu City (during the Sinulog fiesta), Mandaue City will be reviewing our policies on night life establishments and we will institute measures to ensure a balance between a vibrant tourism scene and the safety of all," Quisumbing said.  — Odessa O. Leyson and Garry B. Lao (FREEMAN)