ENFORCING a total liquor ban would only present more problems that Cagayan de Oro City Hall doesn’t need as it continues to enforce a citywide quarantine for its constituents, Mayor Oscar Moreno said this morning.
"Imposing a total liquor ban would only drive up the prices of liquor. I would like to believe that the city residents are responsible enough to comply with the city ordinance banning drinking in public places apan naay badlongon so the police would arrest them. (A total ban) would only impose an additional burden on the police," Moreno said during the daily press briefing at the mayor’s conference room, today.
Last month, the mayor ordered city police to enforce the city ordinance banning the consumption of liquor in public places days after he ordered the temporary closure of malls, nightspots, and other non-essential businesses as well as a citywide curfew to compel city residents to stay at home until the quarantine is lifted based on the recommendation by the Inter-Agency Task Force.
The citywide quarantine took effect last March 13. The ordinance only covers the consumption of liquor at public places and does not prohibit the purchase of liquor to be consumed at home. A total liquor ban which usually lasts for one day is imposed during special events like the Black Nazarene procession to be held on Good Friday (April 10).
The mayor’s statement came amid an appeal issued by executive overseer Michael Christopher Fabello of the City Social Welfare Development Office during the same press briefing to city-based beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program to spend the P6,000 social amelioration cash assistance given to them for food instead of liquor.
Fabello said some persons spend the cash aid for liquor and other non-essential items rather than buying a month’s supply for food.
"Tabang ni aron makapalit og pagkaon og makapuyo sa balay, dili ni pampiyesta aron molingaw sa gawas," Fabello said, adding that the cash aid will be delivered to them at home by social welfare personnel and not barangay officials.
Mayor Moreno also ordered the city police to enforce the ban on beaches during the Holy Week observance in compliance with the directive on physical distancing by the Department of Health to avoid overcrowding in these areas.
"Gamay antos atong gihangyo sa katawhan. The virus has disrupted our daily lives. Let’s stay at home so the virus will eventually go away hopefully within the month," Moreno said. (Stephen Capillas of CIO)
