DILG: Alcohol, gambling ban, other measures to be strictly implemented

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced Monday stricter implementation of the ban on alcohol and gambling in public areas and other measures as it rollout its “Safer Cities Initiative” in Metro Manila.

At a press briefing, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the program will initially be piloted in the National Capital Region before expanding to other major urban centers nationwide.

“We welcome Monday with the announcement of the Safer Cities Initiative. Initially, dito po sa Metro Manila mag-uumpisa ‘yan (This will start in Metro Manila),” Remulla said.

“Bakit po natin ginagawa 'to? Nakikita natin na ang mayorya ng krimen na nangyayari ay sa mga urban areas. So it's time to make the people feel safer about where they live,” he added.

(Why are we doing this? We see that the majority of crimes that occur are in urban areas. So it's time to make the people feel safer about where they live.)

The other measures implemented under the Safer Cities Initiative are: 

• curfew for minors at 10 p.m.
• videoke sessions limited until 10 p.m., except during permitted events such as fiestas
• banning shirtless individuals in public spaces

“Meron tayong Anti-Public Intoxication Act. Bawal na ang mag-inom sa kalye. Bawal na ang maglatag ng mga silya at mga lamesa sa mga kalye at mag-inuman,” Remulla said.

(We have the Anti-Public Intoxication Act. Drinking on the streets is no longer allowed. It is no longer allowed to set up chairs and tables on the streets and drink.)

“Doon nga nanggagaling number one ang away, number two ang sexual harassment. Bawal na. Kaya sabihan ko ang lahat, pasensyahan tayo kapag kayo mag-inuman sa kalye, huhulihin naminj kayo,” he added.

(That’s where, number one, fights come from, number two, sexual harassment. It’s no longer allowed. So I tell everyone, when you drink on the streets, we will apprehend you.)

Remulla said he will urge local governments to issue ordinances for these measures.

“Bawal na po ang videoke lagpas ng alas 10 p.m. Alam ko ang lahat ng Pilipino mahilig kumanta. Maraming magaling kumanta. Masarap kumanta basta lalo na kasama barkada. Pero, maawa naman kayo sa kapwa ninyo at hayaan ninyo nang matulog,” he said.

(Videoke is not allowed after 10 p.m. I know all Filipinos love to sing. Many are good singers. Singing is fun, especially with friends. But, have mercy on your neighbors and let them sleep.)

“Walang t-shirt na lalaki na palakad-lakad sa kalye. It is an act of civility na magbihis naman kayo habang nasa kalye kayo…kahit gaano kainit, magsando man lang kayo,” he added.

(Shirtless men walking on the street. It is an act of civility to wear a shirt while you are on the street…no matter how hot it is, at least wear a sando.)

Also under the initiative, each school in Metro Manila will have at least one to two police personnel during school hours with the support of barangay tanods.

Police assistance desks will also be set up to allow students to easily seek help or report incidents. 

The Philippine National Police (PNP) will also intensify deployment in transport hubs such as airports, seaports, bus terminals, and train stations, as well as in malls and other high-traffic areas.

Nightlife hotspots and other tourist spots in the metro will have more presence of police and local government forces. —AOL, GMA News