By Zaldy Comanda BAGUIO CITY - A series of public consultations was called for by the city council to ascertain the sentiment of concerned sectors and the public on the clamor for the lifting of the liquor ban in the city. Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan said that the implementation of the liquor ban resulted in the improvement of the peace and order situation in the city because liquor-related crimes, especially in night spots and liquor establishments, drastically declined since the implementation of the Luzonwide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). He said the local government has been receiving numerous praise when the liquor ban was imposed because people learned to stay at home and avoid drinking liquor in their neighborhood. However, Olowan admitted that there were still individuals who were able to purchase liquor from the stores in the different barangays and drink the same in their homes while there were also those calling for the immediate lifting of the liquor ban because their business operations had been significantly affected since the imposition of the ban on the selling, dispensing and drinking of liquor in the city during the ECQ and the prevailing general community quarantine (GCQ). The council had earlier approved a resolution mandating the imposition of a liquor ban in the city during the ECQ and GCQ to help in deterring the commission of crimes and sustain the prevalence of law and order. Mayor Benjamin Magalong subsequently issued an order that imposed a liquor ban in the city and the strict implementation of the provisions of the city’s liquor ordinance. Magalong said he was not inclined to lift the prevailing liquor ban because its implementation resulted in the prevalence of law and order in the city during the ECQ and GCQ. Olowan claimed it will be appropriate for the local legislative body to conduct the required public consultations with the concerned stakeholders and the public for them to ventilate the issues and concerns that they want the local government to know before coming up with a decision on whether or not to lift the prevailing liquor ban. He called on the public to understand the reason why the liquor ban was imposed because what is being prioritized by the local government are the health and safety of the residents. Olowan said the public hearing will be scheduled as soon as possible.