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