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Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Mayor wants stiffer penalties v. liquor ban offenders
TO MAKE La Trinidad's liquor ban ordinance more effective in maintaining peace and order to safeguard the welfare of minors, Mayor Nestor Fongwan is pushing for an increase in the penalties imposed on violators.
Fongwan asked the Municipal Council to amend the ordinance so that stiffer penalties would be imposed on violators to assure strict compliance with the rule.
In a letter to the town's legislative body, Fongwan said there is a need to raise the fines being collected from individuals and business establishments that do not comply with the regulation. He said numerous cases have been filed before the courts against offenders but these are dismissed upon payment of the P1,000 fine.
"May we specifically request the amendment of the (penalty) provision to impose a stiffer penalty on both administrative and imprisonment," he said in a letter.
He also sought the review of exemptions granted to establishments accredited by the Department of Tourism (DOT).
He moved for a more concrete policy regarding the dispensation of liquor by DOT-accredited establishments, following an observation that some operators are using their accreditations as an excuse not to comply with the ordinance.
The ordinance bans the sale of intoxicating drinks beyond 8 p.m., except for restaurants or bars catering to tourists and registered with the DOT.
Fongwan said the word "tourist" as used in the ordinance should be defined more clearly for the guidance of establishments accredited by the tourism department.
The mayor earlier warned a restaurant owner to comply with the liquor ban and avoid using its DOT accreditation to sell liquor even to individuals who are from the municipality as per the observation of the town's policemen. (JC)
(August 23, 2006 issue)
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