Thanks for the tip

Egay Uy .

THE Regulatory and Complaint Board has intensified its campaign against the sale of intoxicating beverages to minors.  Recently, the RCB board itself, along with members of the media, the NBI, Cagayan de Oro City Police Office, the City Prosecutor, the RCB inspectorate team, and several regulatory offices of the City Government conducted a surprise inspection, cum information and education campaign, of watering holes at the Rotunda, along Corrales Avenue, and near schools this City.

The positive effects of the regular rounds done by the RCB inspectorate team have shown that more and more operators of watering holes have required the presentation of identification cards by prospective customers who appear to be younger than 18 years.

In one drinking joint which was filled with customers, we found a minor-looking group of customers who had half-empty bottles of intoxicating drink on their tables. Since the customers could not present any document to show their real age, we advised them to just go home, which they heeded without hesitation.

One customer however appeared to have had one too many.  He boldly asked a member of the team who had a camera in hand to also take his picture.  We intervened and asked the customer to refrain from harassing any member of the inspection team. Since the customer could not be immediately contained, the NBI agents came to the rescue and prevented the customer from causing further commotion.

These thematic inspections and IEC rounds are meant to send a strong message to regulated business entities that they too have the obligation to protect minors from the evils of intoxicating drinks.  And parents, too, should be constantly reminded to closely monitor their minor children and check their school schedules because many high school students are found loitering in watering holes after (and even during) class hours.

One positive observation though is that the RCB has been receiving tips and reliable information from the public about students having their grand time in watering holes at certain hours of the day. There was in fact one trisikad driver who gave us the tip that at 6:15 in the afternoon, certain watering holes in his area of operation in barangay Carmen become the convergence joints of students where they, of course, consume alcoholic drinks.

Salamat sa tip, Manong!

(Egay Uy is a lawyer. He chairs the City’s Regulatory and Complaint Board, co-chairs with the city mayor the City Price Coordinating Council, and chairs the city’s Joint Inspection Team.  He retired as a vice president of Cepalco.)