The Muntinlupa City government has further eased the rules on the sale and consumption of liquor and other intoxicating drinks in the city.
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi signed Ordinance 2021-246, passed by the City Council, which now allows the sale and consumption of liquor and alcoholic beverages all day except during curfew hours from midnight to 4 a.m. Previously, the city government only allowed the sale of liquor from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fresnedi said the decision to ease the regulation on the sale of liquor aims to gradually open the economy and promote business growth.
“While we introduce the easing of limitation on the sale and consumption of liquor, I implore everyone to be responsible and to continue observing health protocols such as the wearing of face masks and face shield, following physical distancing, and frequent hand washing,” he said.
Under the new ordinance, the sale of liquor and other alcoholic beverages to minors and those already intoxicated are prohibited.
“Social drinking involving individuals not living in the same residence nor member of the same household shall be strictly prohibited even when done inside a private residence,” according to the ordinance.
The sale of liquor and other alcoholic beverages will be allowed in commercial establishments permitted by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases and other government agencies.
Business establishments that will violate the ordinance will be meted with the following penalties: closure of one week for the first offense and revocation of business permit for the second.
Sellers who violate the ordinance will be fined P2,000 for first offense and P5,000 for the second offense.
For buyers or consumers who break the local law, they will be fined P2,500 for the first offense and P5,000 for the second offense.
Tasked to implement the ordinance are members of the Muntinlupa City Police Station, Public Order and Safety Office, City Security Office, Muntinlupa Traffic and Management Bureau, Business Permit and Licensing Office, barangay chairmen and their personnel, and other deputized individuals.
The Metro Manila Council of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) adopted Resolution No 21-10 Series of 2021 setting the standardized and unified curfew hours in the National Capital Region from midnight to 4 a.m. starting June 15.
In May, the Muntinlupa City government lifted the liquor ban in the city through Ordinance 2021-232.
As of July 13, Muntinlupa has 14,206 confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases including 13,449 recoveries and 380 deaths, leaving 377 active cases.
Among barangays, Putatan has the highest active cases with 102 followed by Tunasan and Poblacion, 61 each; Alabang, 43; Cupang, 39; Ayala Alabang, 29; Sucat, 28; Bayanan, 12; and Buli, 2.