Pasay City lifted its liquor ban on Thursday, explaining the decision was for “economic reasons” and to help the residents “deal with their anxieties.”
Ordinance No. 6107 signed on May 4 was an amendment to the city’s first order that prohibits selling, distribution, and purchase of any kind of liquor or intoxicating beverage while the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) is imposed.
The revised ordinance now allowed residents to buy, distribute, or sell alcohol between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily. However, “in no case shall drinking beyond the premises of the house, including backyards, and in any public place be allowed.”
It also said lifting the liquor ban was for “economic reasons.” It said it could help businesses and other retailers in Pasay City recover from the economic loss brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Easing the ban would also help the residents to relax and “deal with their anxieties,” with the condition that they would not drink in public areas and should always practice social distancing.
“[After’] two months of being under the ECQ, people are stressed, anxious. I don’t want to deprive them of the freedom and choice to calm themselves once in a while. After all, they will not be drinking the whole day or throughout the night. They will not be drinking in a party,” Pasay City Councilor Moti Arceo said.
Arceo, however, clarified that restaurants and bars in the city would remain closed following the protocols of modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).
Taguig and Makati meanwhile did not impose a liquor ban, but Taguig strictly prohibits the drinking of alcohol in convenience stores and other establishments allowed to operate during ECQ.
Metro Manila cities with extended liquor ban
- Parañaque
- Mandaluyong
- San Juan
- Pasig
- Muntinlupa
- Manila
- Marikina
- Quezon City
- Caloocan
- Navotas,
- Valenzuela
- Malabon
3 Chinese nationals arrested for smuggling liquor in Muntinlupa City
Three Chinese nationals were arrested on Wednesday after attempting to smuggle alcohol at a quarantine checkpoint in Muntinlupa City despite the city’s liquor ban.
The suspects were identified as Dai Bizhu, Wang Peng Li, and Wang Peng Wen.
According to Muntinlupa City Police, authorities stopped a black SUV at a quarantine control point in Barangay Alabang, Muntinlupa.
Read the full story here: Chinese nationals arrested for violating liquor ban