Parañaque City’s local government has shut down 18 Chinese-owned restaurants and establishments for allegedly operating without licenses and for violating local ordinances.
The city government forcibly closed these businesses on June 20, 21, and 24, but city hall only announced it today.
According to Melanie Soriano-Malaya, the chief of the Parañaque government’s business permits and licensing office, most of the businesses shut down were located in the villages of Tambo and Baclaran, reported The Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Tambo is the same village in which the government-owned Entertainment City is found, an area where several hotel-casinos operate. Many of those who work and frequent these casinos are Chinese nationals.
Malaya said that aside from operating without permits, the businesses violated sanitary and environmental laws. The restaurants also violated a Parañaque ordinance which states that all establishments should have their signages and menus translated into English.
Many of the erring establishments reportedly catered only to Chinese customers, a practice which the Parañaque government does not allow, reported Diaryo Bomba.
Businesses closed down in Baclaran were Wu Pinna Restaurant, Tuixianglo Restaurant, Sunshine Mart, All Things Supermarket, and Juzi Mart, reported Manila Bulletin.
In Tambo, the businesses padlocked were Shabu-Shabu Restaurant, Chinli Eatery, Shaxian Food Pub, Cravemouth, Abner and Angels Food House, and Dao Dao Chinese Restaurant.
Restaurants located in other areas of the city were also closed down including, Yaki Yaki Homemade Dish, JJ’s Oriental Restaurant, EDC Lavishly Salon, Good Tea, Bayview Prince Grocery Co., Xiao Jun Gan of Chuan Chuan Xiang, and Cuo Cha.
City officials alleged that many of these businesses falsely reported that they have Filipino owners so that they could operate. They also accused village officials of allowing these businesses to operate even though they go against the law.
In May, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) called for the suspension of operations of a food park in Las Piñas City for not having the necessary business permits. Netizens alleged that the food park catered only to Chinese nationals, but the DTI said they found some Filipino customers dining there during an inspection.
