Will this cramp people’s style or will it help them stay out of trouble?
“Marikina City has just passed an ordinance that is supposed to ‘guarantee a more conductive sleeping atmosphere” for its residents,'” reports Matt Gatchalian in Manila Standard Today.
According to councilor Frankie Ayuson, Ordinance 31 Series of 2014 mandates that the operating hours of eateries, bars and clubs, billiard halls, restaurants, and similar establishments would only be until 3am. Meanwhile liquor is only allowed to be served in the said establishments until 1am.
The report noted: “Exemptions are provided on special occasions such as Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and anniversaries by obtaining a permit first from the barangay.”
Ayuson explained that the regulation is meant to help create a “peaceful and liveable environment for the Marikeños” by reducing “adverse effects of intoxicated individuals such as road mishaps, sleeping on sidewalks, and vomiting in public.”
Establishments that fail to comply with the ordinance will be fined PHP3,000 for the first offense; and PHP5,000 for the second offense along with suspension of business permit.
Photo from MorgueFile
