Bar owners dialogue with City Hall authorities as to health permits, no-smoking rules, and regulatory procedures
An adjudication board headed by the city legal office is proposed to look over matters between bar and entertainment business owners and city hall offices concerned with regulatory documents.
Future meetings may also be initiated to thresh out any issues, as to permits/licenses, or on the acquisition process or procedures.
These were agreed on during the dialogue between bar and entertainment business owners and representatives from the Peace, Order and Safety Division (POSD), City Health Services, City Legal, City Planning, Development and Sustainability and other concerned offices, at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Session hall, city hall last Tuesday.
As Committee Chair on Health, Sanitation, Hygiene, Ecological and Environmental Concerns, Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda presided over the dialogue.
Among those discussed are the cityโs smoke-free program; wherein POSD Chief Daryl Longid said provisions of the cityโs Smoke-Free ordinance are clear-cut, as bases for confiscation, or issuance of Notice of Violation/s (NOV).
During inspection of establishments; details and evidence of smoking are looked over intensively before any action is done, and his attention may be called for complaints or concerns, Longid said. Any other issues not within his capacity as POSD head may be forwarded to Mayor Benjamin Magalong, he added.
Applications for smoking areas are accepted, but warned that requirements are stringent, Longid further said, as fenced, wide but unroofed areas for smoking are compulsory.
The liquor ban remains as is, considering that proposals for change are still with the city council, Longid added.
Nurse Gay Hope Alangsab representing the Reproductive, Hygiene and Wellness Clinic (RHWC) clarified that Health Services Office requirements for entertainers and Night workers are: original documents from the Philippine Statistics Authority, Valid ID, Vaccination card or Certificate, laboratory results of drug test, chest x-ray, stool exam, and HIV/syphilis (free screening at the reproductive hygiene wellness clinic) test.
Applicants for clearances should also check from other offices/agencies about their requirements, Alangsab emphasized.
POSD head Longid also reminded bars and business owners of the silent night ordinance, where excessive loud noise/music are prohibited from 10PM to 5AM; or within 200 meters from schools, churches and hospitals. Penalties are set at P1,000; P3,000; P5000 for first, second and third offense respectively, with 6 months imprisonment, or both.
Entertainment or bar operating hours are up to midnight, and those with dancing, to 2 AM, with winding-up hours done earlier. Permits for the line of business should be very clear, Longid added, as his staff could be called up to check on said business establishments at any hour.
The POSD office is open for dialogues and clarifications as discussions lead to a healthy relationship between authorities and business people, Longid ended. – JGF
