Mandaue padlocks 2 bars

The Mandaue City government ordered closed two entertainment bars in the city saying these establishments caused trouble in terms of public safety and welfare.

Omar Redula, head of the City Legal Office said the city government has ordered the closure of The Sentral Bar and Lounge and Club Hatchi for operating without a special permit.

"The straw that broke the proverbial camel's back…was nag-operate sila without a special permit during the time they were warned nga...they were forwarned nga usa ra'y tagaan og permit per night," Redula explained.

A recommendation to close the establishments was forwarded last Wednesday, Redula said.

Mandaue City Mayor Gabriel Luis Quisumbing signed the closure order yesterday morning.

James Sayson of the CLO explained that The Sentral Bar and Lounge held an event during Sinulog without a special permit aside from also violating the Presidential Decree 1185 or the Fire Code of the Philippines. Sayson explained that The Sentral's area exceeded its limited space and that the crowd overflowed to the streets.

"Clearly, naabot sila sa gawas," Sayson said.

The closure order stated that the requirement of the occupant level was determined by the city fire marshal.

"The mere fact that you pursued with the event and extended it in the open space of the Norkis Cyberpark clearly indicated that you operate beyond the capacity you were allowed by the law," read the city's closure order addressed to The Sentral.

The city government also recalled that its owner and employees, including its bouncers, were involved in incidents related to physical injuries, with incidents peaking in November and December last year.

As for the violations of Club Hatchi, Sayson said they based it on the 66 incidents recorded in the Subangdaku Police Station.

"Thirty-nine percent of it involved the owners and the bouncers. These people should be the frontliners of their patrons," he said, adding that they should also be the responsible for handling the peace and order in their establishment.

However, Sayson assured that the displaced employees of these bars will still have jobs once they will be closed for good.

"The city government made a commitment to help them. We could refer them to PESO (Public Employment Services Office) or to the skills training (of the city)," he said.

He said these bars can ask for reconsideration as they are entitled to it but they should address this to the mayor.

When asked if these establishments plan to file a case against the city government, Sayson said they have the right to do it.

"That's their option. We cannot discount that but the city will be ready for it," Sayson said.

As for the case of MO2, Sayson explained that the city government will further study this matter due to the complexity of the issue.

In earlier reports, Quisumbing noted MO2's operation during Sinulog saying that its event caused major traffic congestion where vehicles were stuck in a street up to the vicinity of SM City Cebu and that they also had no special permit for the event.

Redula said this only shows that these establishments were not serious in complying with the licensing requirements.

Around 6 p.m., Frank Guillen of CLO taped copies of the closure orders in the premise of The Sentral Bar and Lounge and Club Hatchi. His team was joined by the Special Weapons and Tactics personnel of Mandaue City Police Office.

The Sentral Bar and Lounge supervisor Arlene Arsa and Club Hatchi cashier Glendie Taac-Taac received the closure order for their respective establishments.

The establishments were closed when CLO personnel arrived with the orders. The serving of the closure orders went peacefully.