THE City Council on Monday adopted a resolution paving the way for the conduct of a six (6) month experimental scheme for the extension of hours of operation of liquor establishments in the City of Baguio.
The resolution introduced was passed in response to the clamor and to address concerns raised by nightspot business owners who pointed out that under the present mandated hours of operation of their businesses they can no longer justify their costs of operation which include electricity, water, rental fees, business taxes, as well as the increase in the price of products and services. The said measure likewise cited the observations made by the said business owners concerning their clients who also noted that the existing hours of operation of such establishments is no longer sensible when compared with the hours of operation of similar establishments in other highly urbanized cities and tourist destinations around the country.
Under existing local laws of the city particularly Ordinance Numbered 25, series of 1987 which codified the various liquor ordinances of the City of Baguio and which was subsequently amended by Ordinance Numbered 1, series of 1990 and further amended by Ordinance Numbered 88, series of 2009, the regulated hours of operation for nightspots and night establishments are as follows: xxx a. From 5:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. for establishments with dancing to include night club and day club, cocktail lounge with dancing, beer garden/house with dancing, bar with dancing, duly accredited tourist oriented hotel with restaurant, bar or disco, cabaret or dance halls and disco pubs; and b. From 3:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m. (midnight) for establishments without dancing such as ordinary beer gardens, cocktail lounges, folk houses and folk dens which serve beer only, restaurants with liquor, bars or coffee shops serving beer and liquor and internet cafes.
The said resolution further justified the need to extend the hours of operation of these liquor oriented establishments as a the present set-up is no longer conducive to their business as well as to the tourists and guests that flock to the city and visit said joints in order to unwind in such facilities.
The hours of operation for liquor-oriented establishments under the adopted experimental scheme for a period of six months will be from 5:00 p.m. to 3:00 for establishments with dancing while it will be from 3:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. for establishments without dancing.
The resolution likewise mandated the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) in coordination with the barangays to render a report to the City Mayor and to the Sangguniang Panlungsod relative to the outcome and result of the said experimental scheme within fifteen (15) days after its termination.