SIX business establishments, including an eatery across Cebu Doctor’s University (CDU) at the North Reclamation Area,
were caught selling alcoholic drinks to minors in a random inspection conducted by Mandaue City’s Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) and the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) Friday night, Sept. 29, 2023.
Walter Shayne Lumbre, head inspector of BPLO Mandaue said the inspections were in response to complaints from CDU, parents, neighboring establishments, and even a standby patrol unit of the MCPO in the area regarding the selling of liquor to minors by some resto-bars and eateries right in front of the school.
According to complaints, the establishments would turn into resto-bars complete with music and disco lights from 5 p.m. until ten p.m., serving alcoholic beverages to students from CDU and other schools hanging out with friends.
During the inspection, students still wearing their school uniforms and IDs were accosted. Some were minors.
Ordinance
Mandaue City Ordinance 14-2018-1340 that regulates the sale and consumption of intoxicating liquor in the city bans the selling and serving of alcoholic beverages near schools, specifically to juveniles.
Lumbre said the BPLO gave the establishments a one-day suspension effective Saturday, Sept. 30, and a cease and desist order from serving liquor and alcoholic beverages.
“They have permits. So, we sent them cease and desist orders as a warning, and the minors were sent home after the probe,” said Lumbre adding that a permanent closure order on the business will be issued should there be a repeat of the offense.
To ensure that businesses adhere to the ordinance, Lumbre said the BPLO will continue to monitor school zones through random visits from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. twice a week.
Lumbre said establishments stores selling liquor should have a business permit with a license to sell. If they wish to serve their customers alcoholic beverages, they must also obtain a business permit with a license to serve because these two work separately, Lumbre explained.
Kert Flores and John Christopher Horca who own two of the eateries inspected said they have no choice but to obey the rule and sell only food after what had happened.
Lumbre also reminded the owners of bars, convenience stores, and similar businesses to be vigilant in screening their customers to ensure that the are not selling prohibited items to minors.
He suggested asking the customers to show their IDs before allowing them entry into an adult facility and not letting them in if they refuse to do so.
