City closes 8 bars for violating curfew time

THE CITY Government on Thursday closed eight nightspots in various locations in the city for violating the curfew time for night establishments.

Padlocked based on the closure orders signed by Mayor Mauricio Domogan were the Red Lion Pub and Inn along Leonard Wood Road at M. Roxas Brgy.; The Amper Sand (The Camp) also at M. Roxas Brgy.; Susan’s bar, Igorota’s bar and Golden Kalaleng Bar all along Bokawkan Road; Supersonic KTV Bar along Abanao St.; the Likuor Store at Upper Gen. Luna Road; and Concoctions at Salud Mitra Brgy.

City licensing officer Allan Abayao said all the establishments violated the 12 a.m. closing time multiple times despite the considerations and leeway earlier given them by the City.

Based on the detailed police and barangay affidavits and reports submitted as basis for the closure, most of them had been caught operating even until 3 a.m. for more than three times since November last year.

One establishment incurred 13 violations, another ten and two others seven times.

One establishment with three offenses was included in the clampdown because it had received ample warnings previously.

Abayao said the same nightspots were subjected to a compromise agreement

during a meeting last Dec. 20 where the City relaxed the penalty by subjecting them only to a fine and waived the closure and permit revocation despite committing three offenses on condition that they will comply with the law and that the agreement would serve as ultimate warning to them.

However, the transgressions continued thus the clampdown.

Abayao said more establishments are expected to follow suit as the City continues the strict implementation of Ordinance No. 88 series of 2009 which limits the operation of night establishments without dancing to until 12 midnight.

Members of the 300-strong Baguio Association of Bars and Entertainers (BABES) last year tried to negotiate with the City Government for the extension of the curfew time to 2 a.m. prompting two councilors to propose an amendatory ordinance which is still under study by the City Council.

Domogan however said he was inclined to support the position of City Police Director Ramil Saculles for a status quo for the sake of maintaining the City’s peace and order noting that many crimes in the City are still liquor-induced.

The mayor earlier rejected a City Council proposal to extend the bars’ operation to 3 a.m. in deference to the Panagbenga celebration saying it does not sit well with the City’s Character City status and anti-crime thrust.

“I don’t want people to think that we encourage drinking in our city or that we are becoming a liquor or drinking capital. These are things that we can sacrifice to maintain the good image of our City and the safety of our constituents,” the mayor said. Aileen Refuerzo