DAVAO CITY – The city government collected P7 million in penalties from violators of the anti-smoking, liquor ban, and sobriety ordinances here as of July.

The Vices Regulation Unit operating under the City Mayor's Office said most of those arrested were violators of the liquor ban imposed due to the barangay elections next month.

VRU head Hernando Las acknowledged members of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) who had been helping apprehend liquor ban violators, especially in the post-pandemic period.

He said that in collaboration with the police, the VRU has been diligently implementing local ordinances and has apprehended numerous individuals who have violated the liquor ban.

Purchasing and consuming alcohol in public areas between 1 a.m. and 8 a.m. constitutes a breach of the city's liquor ban regulation.

Las said that even possessing alcoholic beverages during this time is considered an infringement of the ordinance.

“If we come across any beer on your table at 1 a.m., whether it’s open or half-full, as long as there is evidence of it, we’ll take a picture of it, and afterward, we’ll issue a ticket,” Las said.

Las said that many violators of the anti-smoking ordinance were nabbed, especially during the 38th Kadayawan Festival.

“Many violators were arrested during the Kadayawan Festival though some were not from Davao, but they are not exempted, due to violating the ordinance,” he said.

The VRU reminded the people to follow city ordinances and avoid smoking in public places and use designated smoking areas. Visitors here are not exempt from the ordinance, the VRU reminded.