Residents who will be caught violating the liquor ban in Pateros will be removed as beneficiaries of the government’s “ayuda” or aid.
This was announced by Mayor Miguel “Ike” Ponce III who slammed people who flouted the new liquor ban that took effect last July 30.
Ponce issued an executive order last Saturday imposing a liquor ban in Pateros from July 30 to Aug. 20. Under this, it is prohibited to sell, serve and buy liquor and other intoxicating and alcoholic beverages in Pateros as a measure to impose stringent social distancing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Metro Manila including Pateros is under general community quarantine (GCQ) with heightened and additional restrictions until Aug. 5 and enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from Aug. 6 to 20.
“Our liquor ban is continuously violated. Yesterday we received messages that there are people who gather and drink liquor in inner areas. Our police are already having difficulty because of so much work,” he said in a live broadcast on Facebook Monday.
The Pateros municipal government got the names of some of the violators and the police will invite them for questioning.
“Because you have the money for liquor. Since it seems that you are not experiencing hardship in life or during the pandemic, when there is ‘ayuda’ coming from the government, I will remove your names (as beneficiaries),” said the mayor, who also warned stores that sell liquor.
Exempted from the ban is the delivery of liquor and other intoxicating beverages outside Pateros.
Ponce earlier ordered the arrest of people violating the mandatory wearing of face masks and face shields while outside their residence or those who are caught not properly wearing the items.