Manila implements liquor ban during state of calamity

Manila prohibits stores from selling liquor during the state of calamity amid the threat of the coronavirus disease-2019.

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso signed the executive order prohibiting the selling and distribution of all alcoholic drinks starting Monday, March 30.

In his city address on Sunday, Domagoso said the city government will revoke the mayor’s permit and business permit of violators.

“Ipinagbabawal na po at binabawi pansamantala ang pribilehiyo sa mga tindahan na nagtitinda ng alak. Hindi na po kayo pwedeng magtinda ng alak bukas (The city government is prohibiting and is temporarily revoking the privilege given to stores to sell alcohol. You will not be allowed to sell liquor starting tomorrow),” he said.

“I hope you will be guided so as not to give any reason to anybody to acquire liquor in these trying times,” he added.

The city mayor lamented how hundreds of the city’s residents continue to violate social distancing guidelines and the 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew despite the rising COVID-19 cases in the country.

Domagoso cited an incident where a drunk man accidentally hit some city government staff who were handing out relief goods to residents.

“Kahapon may mga lasing, may mga naka-karaoke pa, tambay sa kalsada, nagpaparty-party pa. Ngayon, para wala na kayong dahilan para makahanap ng alak (Yesterday, there were drunks who were singing karaoke, loitering in the streets, partying. Now (with the liquor ban), you will not have any reason to look for liquor),” he said.

“Uunawain ko kayo, pero hindi ko kayo papayagang makaperwisyo. Ayoko mabalewala ang sakripisyo ng nakararami dahil sa iilan (I will try to understand you, but I will not allow you to aggravate others. I do not want the sacrifices of the majority to go to waste just because of a few),” he added.

As of writing, Manila City now has 55 COVID-19 cases with seven deaths and one recovered patient. There are also 224 persons under investigation.