Mayor Isko signs EO strengthening ban on selling alcohol near schools

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Thursday signed an executive order canceling the permits of establishments selling liquor within a 200-meter radius of schools in the city.

"Kinakansela ko ang lahat ng lisensiya ng mga binigay na permit sa mga establishment sa pagbebenta ng alak sa 200-meter radius sa lahat ng eskwelahan sa lungsod ng Maynila," he said.

Executive Order No. 17 mandates the city's Bureau of Permits and License Office (BPLO), the City Treasurer's Office, and business establishments to strictly observe Ordinance No. 3532 and Ordinance No. 8520.

Ordinance No. 3532 prohibits the sale of intoxicating liquor within 200 meters of schools.

Ordinance No. 8520, on the other hand, prohibits the sale of any alcoholic beverage to minors.

The executive order noted that some malls, bars, restaurants have "flagrantly violated" these ordinances.

It added that violators will face administrative and criminal charges, fines, and revocation of permits and licenses issued by the local government.

The executive order shall take effect immediately upon its issuance.

Moreno earlier told reporters of his intention to strictly enforce ordinances that prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors and in establishments within the university belt areas.

“The other day, I already directed them to come up with an EO that prohibits and canceling all liquor license—OK, not the permit ha. Lahat ng university belt,” he said in an ambush interview.

Referring to President Rodrigo Duterte’s call during his State of the Nation Address on Monday for all establishments to close at 12 a.m., Moreno also said he is willing to study banning the sale of liquor at midnight.

“We can study it or we can put some exemption on it in a specific geography. Kunyari tourist area,” Moreno said.

The Department of Interior and Local Government meanwhile clarified that the president’s pronouncement was not compulsory for all local government units.

“Ang gustong sabihin ni Pangulo doon is kung nagawa namin ito sa Davao City, which was a contributor to the lessening of crimes, pagtitigil ng pag-inom, pagtitigil ng sigarilyo, kaya ring gawin sa ibang lugar. Patutsada po yon ni Presidente na they might want to follow the Davao experience,” Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III told reporters in an ambush interview. — with Ted Cordero/BM, GMA News