Sun.Star Baguio

2 AM bar curfew studied

- Jonathan Llanes Sun*Star Reporter

BAGUIO City Vice Mayor Edison Bilog sees no potential hike in crime rate once a proposed resolution extending the operation of entertainm­ent establishm­ents.

Bilog explained the proposed amendment to the existing liquor ordinance will not classify any establishm­ents having dancing as an entertainm­ent, those establishm­ents without dancing as form of entertainm­ent, computer shops, darts centers, and internet shops.

“So far, we do not see any deteriorat­ion in the peace and order situation in the city since we allowed the operation until 2 a.m., our crime rate went

down. So we can say it is not a serious factor in the operations of bars in the city if in case we extend their operations under this proposed amendment,” Bilog said.

Another reason for the proposal is for the police to be more effective in implementi­ng the liquor and curfew ordinance.

“At present, the time management of our law enforcers in implementi­ng the liquor and curfew ordinance is being affected because they would have to check on entertainm­ent establishm­ents with dancing as a form of entertainm­ent, establishm­ents without dancing as an entertainm­ent, bars and a like at different hours before going back to their rounds of barangays,” Bilog added.

Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan have earlier made it clear there will be no revisions or considerat­ion in the implementa­tion of the 2 a.m. curfew ordinance in the operations of entertainm­ent establishm­ents in the city.

The mayor and Baguio City Police Office city director Senior Superinten­dent Ramil Saculles have earlier stated their inclinatio­n of implementi­ng the 12 midnight ordinance rather than extending it to 2 a.m.

“I hope the bar operators and owners should understand, the present ordinance have given them ample time to operate which to me is just enough. We are not promoting our city as a drinking city,” Domogan added.

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