BY ADRIAN P. NEMES III
Public consumption of liquor is still not allowed and those apprehended will be meted appropriate penalties, Bacolod City Police Office information officer, P/Lt. Liberty Indiape, clarified yesterday.
Indiape said that while there is no executive order coming from Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia allowing it, the police will continue to apprehend those who will be caught drinking alcoholic beverages in public places.
The EO is expected to be issued anytime this week, and will only cover restaurants, eateries and hotels, where food is the main offerings and the alcoholic beverages are just side drinks.
The Bacolod police will continue to inspect variety and convenient stores and other establishments to ensure that they do not sell liquor before noontime and after 6 p.m., Indiape said.
There is also no let-up in the implementation of the curfew ordinance in Bacolod, and those caught violating it will be punished accordingly, she said, adding that, this is in accordance with the announcement of the mayor that the curfew will not be lifted.
FACE SHIELDS
Several residents said they are not aware that face shields are a must when in public vehicles but Indiape said the police and the city government had already announced this protocol since last year.
Indiape reminded the public that the campaign on the use of face masks and face shields continues and the police will be strict in implementing it.
Under Section 3 of City Ordinance 944, all persons in public places are required to wear face masks and face shields properly, and in public or private vehicles or in private offices or places where the general public may be allowed.
VIOLATIONS
Anybody who fails to wear properly the required face masks and face shields, or observe the mandated social distancing, as defined under the ordinance, will be penalized with a fine of P200 or eight hours of community service for every violation.
The City Health Office will supervise the community service of the violators in coordination with the barangay where the violator resides, while non-Bacolod residents will be penalized with a fine of P300. A citation ticket will be issued to violators, who will be informed of their violation and its penalty and after that, the violator will be made to report to the City Treasurer’s Office or its duly authorized collection agent, within 24 hours.*
