LIQUOR BAN. Bacolod City establishments, including Robinsons Supermarket in Barangay Mansilingan, stopped selling liquor or any form of alcoholic beverages starting August 1, based on Executive Order 50. The liquor ban was extended for about two weeks more until August 31 after Mayor Evelio Leonardia issued EO 53, extending the modified general community quarantine in the city until the end of the month. (Photo courtesy of Archie Rey Alipalo)
BACOLOD CITY – The liquor ban remains in effect here as Mayor Evelio Leonardia issued Executive Order (EO) 53 on Sunday extending the city’s two-week modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) for the fifth time until August 31.
The city government reimposed the prohibition on the selling and buying of liquor or any form of alcoholic drinks from July 31 to August 15 as provided in EO 50, after the mayor lifted the ban through EO 39 on June 1, the first day of the MGCQ in Bacolod.
“Selling and buying of liquor or any form alcoholic beverages from the producers, distributors, retailers/wholesalers, restaurants, refreshment parlors, pubs, night clubs, sari-sari stores, and other similar entities is prohibited in the duration of the EO or until further notice,” Section 6 of EO 53 stated.
The ban also covers the drinking and consumption of such alcoholic beverages in all public places like in, but not limited to, the business entities mentioned above, or in any public location like sidewalks, side streets, alleys, streets, roads, open private areas/spaces without fences or enclosures, it added.
Leonardia said the continuity of the MGCQ requires that Bacolodnons adopt some necessary lifestyle changes because the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) still poses a threat worldwide.
“Bacolodnons still have to take necessary health precautions under the MGCQ while it aims to eventually graduate into the 'new normal' while allowing some normalcy back into our community life,” he added.
In March, Leonardia issued EO 25 that prohibited the selling of liquor and ordered the closure of videoke bars, and internet stations in the city as part of the more stringent physical distancing measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Before totally lifting the liquor ban through EO 39, the mayor issued EO 37, giving the green light to the partial lifting of the ban on the sale of liquor and allowed the consumption of such only inside houses.
EO 39, however, stated that the total lifting of the ban on the selling of liquor, wine, beer, or any alcoholic or intoxicating beverage is subject to continuing evaluation. (PNA)
