Mayor Jerry Treñas admitted that his decision to lift the ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages in Iloilo City was “wrong.”
On Tuesday afternoon, April 21, Treñas issued an executive order (EO) allowing the sale of liquor amid the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
But due to “various incidents” involving intoxicated persons, the mayor was prompted to scrap the order.
“Abi ko didto malang sila sa ila sulod balay mainom-inom para mapabilin nga malinong kag matawhay ang syudad, pero I got a report nga kadamo sang insidente natabo,” he said in a press conference.
“I found it very necessary nga ibalik naton ang ban. I am tasking our punong baragays and the BPLO (Business Permits and Licensing Office) to strictly implement this,” Treñas added.
The mayor issued on Wednesday morning, April 22, a new EO “reimposing the express prohibition on the sale and consumption of liquor within the city.”
“Effective immediately, the sale and consumption of any form of liquor, alcoholic beverages, or any alcoholic drink containing specific percentage of alcohol by volume or weight, which may be in the form of whisky, brandy, gin, rum, cordial, liquor, cocktail, wine, champagne, vermouth, basi, tuba, saki, ale, stout, and the like shall be absolutely prohibited, unless expressly lifted,” EO No. 066-A stated.
“Establishments, convenience stores, groceries, sari-sari stores, and other similar businesses who shall violate the prohibition on the sale of liquor, whether directly or indirectly, shall entitle the city government to mete out the appropriate penalties provided under the Iloilo City Tax Code.”
Treñas said as a decision maker, “sometimes we make correct decisions, sometimes we make wrong decisions.”
“Ang importante nga if we make the wrong decision, right away, we come up with a better decision nga macorrect ina dayon,” he stressed.IMT
