Valenzuela City will not lift its liquor ban even after the entire Metro Manila has already shifted to general community quarantine (GCQ).
Mayor Rex Gatchalian on Thursday said that the primary reason why the city council cannot lift the ban is because Ordinance No. 681-2020 states that the “sale, purchase, delivery and consumption” of alcoholic beverage is prohibited while the whole country is still under state or emergency.
“So, I have to abide by that,” he said.
Gatchalian also said that maintaining the liquor ban will also prevent his constituents from violating the social distancing rules, particularly through converging.
“In our opinion, drinking is a social event. It’s somehow tempting people to converge and that’s what we don’t want,” he said, noting that it is also “upon the recommendation of the chief of police” of Valenzuela that peace and order can be observed when “people are not intoxicated.”
As many people are financially challenged due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis, the local chief executive said that it is also their way to help residents allot their money for a more needed expenses.
Residents who are caught selling or consuming alcoholic beverage shall be meted with a revocation of business permit or a P5,000 fine, according to the ordinance. (Joseph Pedrajas)