LA TRINIDAD is set to conduct validation of bars in the first week of September.
During the dialogue of bar owners last Saturday, August 24 at the municipal gym, Vice Mayor Roderick Awingan said Municipal Ordinance 6. series of 2013 concerning liquor and bar establishments regulation in the town serving liquor are classified in three groups.
Class A are allowed to serve liquor until 2 a.m., class B until 12 midnight, and class C until 9 p.m.
With more than 100 bar owners in attendance, municipal officials announced starting the first week of September, a task force will conduct comprehensive validation and compliance of the establishments.
The task force will check the establishments’ compliance on installed closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera, soundproof, allotment of specific parking space for customers, and clean comfort room among others, Awingan said.
Based on the records from the Business Licensing and Permits Section of the town, there are 120 bars registered in Benguet’s capital town as of August 13.
Awingan added the inspection and reclassification aims to maintain the peace and order situation in the town following the increase of physical injuries increase compared to the same period of last year.
“There was a remarkable increase of crime particularly physical injuries in the municipality, it is very alarming,” Awingan added.
Police Major Roldan Cabatan, acting chief of police of La Trinidad Municipal Police Station, said physical injuries are among the top three prevalent crimes in the town.
Cabatan observed most physical injuries cases occur in bars.
“Strict implementation of curfew hours will be observed in order to prevent physical injuries. We are not against the operation of bars, it is your means of livelihood. But for us, our number one priority is the peace and order of the town,” Cabatan added.
Bar owners, meanwhile, aired their sentiments on the ordinance including the implementation of time to serve liquor.
At least 14 have applied for reclassification but these establishments have to undergo further inspection and validation.