STARTING yesterday, MO2 Restobar is no longer operating after the Mandaue City Government decided to close it, citing several violations.
The closure order was served by a team from the City Legal Office (CLO) led by Atty. James Allan Sayson and received by Lito Atillo, MO2 manager. Atillo, however, did not issue any statement when approached by reporters.
The CLO found out that MO2, which is located on Mantawi Drive, did not secure a permanent business permit for two consecutive years.
Several incidents of physical injuries were also recorded in the bar involving some employees.
“Wherefore, premises considered and by virtue of the authority vested by the city mayor pursuant to the general welfare clause of RA (Republic Act) 7160, this closure order is hereby issued directing the closure of the business establishment of 1011 Restobar Incorporated operating under the name and style of MO2 Restobar, for operating without the required business permit and for wilful disregard of the security, safety and the welfare of the Mandauehanons,” read the closure order.
In a press conference, Sayson said that the primary reason the CLO recommended the closure of MO2 was the lack of permanent business permit from July 20 to Dec. 31, 2016 and July 24 to Dec. 31, 2017.
He said that the MO2 management secured a provisional permit, but it no longer went back to City Hall to process the permanent business permit and chose to just pay the P5,000 fine as the administrative penalty.
Sayson explained that a provisional permit is issued to the establishment while the management is still in the process of securing other requirements from the national government agencies, including Social Security System, Pag-Ibig Fund and Philhealth.
CLO also learned from the Mandaue City Police Station 2 that there were 27 incidents in MO2 for over a period of two years.
Of these incidents, 33 percent had involved its guards, bouncers and a supervisor.
Sayson said there were also several complaints from the neighboring establishments, including hospitals and residents, about the loud noise that are coming from MO2.
Mayor Luigi Quisumbing said that the other establishments are under surveillance, but there were no violence recorded in other bars so far.
“A lot of people baya say nga oa (overacting) kaayo kuno sa (that we are overacting on the) safety and security, but this is not the time to be complacent about safety and security. The threats from terrorism, from criminality are real and, unfortunately, the nature of some of these entertainment establishments is that there are large groups of people that converge in one area. If we cannot allocate resources to keep those patrons safe and worst if we feel their establishments do not see to give particular care or emphasis to the safety of their patrons then, well, they are not welcome in Mandaue City,” said Quisumbing.
Last Feb. 8, the City Government closed Club Hatchi and Sentral Bar and Lounge also for several violations.