By Jean Fernando
Paranaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez came out with an executive order extending the period of suspension of all licenses and permits to sell and serve liquor and other intoxicating and alcoholic beverages in light of the extension of the enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila.
Olivarez said that there is a need to extend the period of suspension of permit to sell and service of liquor in the city while Metro Manila is still under enhanced community quarantine and also as a measure of implementing stringent social distancing to defer the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) contagion.
He said that the suspension shall remain in effect until May 15 unless the enhanced community quarantine is earlier lifted or revoked. The mayor also said that in case the ECQ will continue to extend the suspension of permit to sell and serve liquor. The said order shall remain in effect until the expiration of such extension.
Olivarez said that the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) under Atty. Lanie Malaya in support of the local police and the barangays were tasked to strictly enforce the order. Last March 17, Malaya issued a memorandum order to all business establishments in the city with the suspension of selling and serving of liquor in the city that will last up to April 14.
Malaya’s memorandum told business establishments that non-compliance shall warrant the imposition of any and all penalties and sanctions under Paranaque City Ordinance 92-02 or an ordinance levying or liquor license on businesses that manufacture, distribute, sell and serve alcohol drinks within the city and prescribing the rates thereof such as but not limited to penal sanctions and fees and revocation and suspension of liquor license and permit.
She also stated in her memorandum that the same violation also warrants the imposition of penalties under the City Ordinance 19-29 or the revised revenue code of the City of Paranaque which prescribes separate penal and administrative fines and sanctions/ cancellation of business permit.