QC, Pasay lift liquor ban ahead of transition to modified ECQ

The local governments of Quezon City and Pasay City on Friday lifted their respective liquor ban as Metro Manila is set to transition from an enhanced community quarantine to a modified ECQ on May 16.

QC Executive Order No. 31, signed by Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, stated that "[a]ll persons, entities, or establishments with valid Liquor License and Regulatory Board ("LLRB") licenses to sell or distribute liquor, wine, beer or any other alcoholic or intoxicating bevarages (collectively, "Retailers") shall be allowed to sell or distribute liquor, wine, beer, or any other alcoholic or intoxicating beverages (collectively, "Alcoholic Beverages") during MECQ."

Quezon City's lifting of the ban carried with it a condition that the sale or distribution of alcoholic beverages shall only be permitted between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. each day.

The order further stated that the consumption of liquor, wine, beer or any other alcoholic or intoxicating beverage shall only be allowed within private residences for the duration of the MECQ.

Belmonte issued the order on May 15 and "shall take effect immediately."

The lifting of the liquor ban will have the following conditions:

• Supermarkets, groceries, liquor stores or such other High-Volume Retailers shall limit the daily purchases of Alcoholic Beverages intended for personal consumption per person
• Sari-sari stores, kiosks, or such other Low-Volume Retailers shall limit the daily purchases of Alcoholic Beverages intended for personal consumption per person
• Retailers shall require a purchaser of ALcoholic Beverages to present a (i) valid government-issued ID for purchases intended for personal consumption; or (ii) a valid Business Permits and Licensing Department ("BPLD") issued business permit, or a photocopy thereof, for purchases intended for resale or redistribution

The amount of limitations per transactions are as follows:

• 3L of wine - 3 boxes per person on high-volume retailers; 3 bottles per person on low-volume retailers
• 1.5 L of wine - 3 boxes per person on high-volume retailers; 6 bottles per person on low-volume retailers
• 750mL of wine - 5 boxes per person on high-volume retailers; 12 bottles per person on low-volume retailers
• 375mL of wine - 5 boxes per person on high-volume retailers; 12 bottles per person on low-volume retailers
• 3L of liquor - 3 boxes per person on high-volume retailers; 3 bottles per person on low-volume retailers
• 1.5 L of liquor - 3 boxes per person on high-volume retailers; 6 bottles per person on low-volume retailers
• 750mL of liquor - 5 boxes per person on high-volume retailers; 12 bottles per person on low-volume retailers
• 375mL of liquor - 5 boxes per person on high-volume retailers; 12 bottles per person on low-volume retailers
• 1L of beer - 5 cases per person on high-volume retailers; 6 bottles per person on low-volume retailers
• 500mL of beer - 5 cases per person on high-volume retailers; 12 bottles per person on low-volume retailers
• 330mL of beer - 10 cases per person on high-volume retailers; 2 cases per person on low-volume retailers

"Any person, entity, or establishment found to be in violation of the provisions of this Order shall be meted sanctions, including but not limited to, closure, suspension, or revocation of its permit or license, or in the case of unlawful consumption, possible arrest, and the filing of criminal charges under Republic Act No. 11332, or any other applicable law or ordinance," the order read. 

Pasay

For its part, Pasay City issued Ordinance No. 6107 on Thursday lifting its liquor ban, according to a 24 Oras report by Athena Imperial.

The Pasay local government said the amendment to the previous ordinance on the liquor ban was made as the city prepared for the enhanced community quarantine.

Like QC, Pasay's lifting came with conditions. Pasay residents could only buy, sell and consume alcoholic beverages from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

A maximum of five persons are allowed to drink alcohol, which should be done only inside their homes and not on their backyards.

Drinkers should also wear face masks and observe physical distancing.

Violators will be charged and fined between P2,000 and 5,000.

"Naglagay lang kami ng window from 8:00 in the morning to 6 pm, pwede silang bumili. At hinigpitan pa namin ito. Talagang hindi sila pinapayagan na uminom kahit doon sa backyard nila or sa kahit saang public place. Except doon lang sa loob ng kanilang tahanan," Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano said.

Rubiano further said the lifting of the liquor ban is in preparation for Pasay City's "new normal" of buying and purchasing alcoholic beverages.

Pasay said the move was meant to help residents cope with stress and anxiety, but warned them to strictly comply with the guidelines.

"Kapag hindi nasunod at hindi talaga makontrol sila, puwede nating ibalik. Tutal ito naman ay Modified ECQ. At puwede natin silang i-extreme Community Quarantine doon lamang sa kanilang lugar," Rubiano said. 

Following the lifting of the ban, some retailers were seen at a supermarket loading boxes of wine in their vehicles for their stores, and for their personal consumption.

"Pakonti-konti, tikim-tikim lang, kami-kami lang mga tatlo," a buyer said.

A couple also brought a wine following a special request from the husband.

"Masaya... Nasa bahay lang po, huwag nang mag-imbita," the woman said. -MDM, GMA News