Davao City steps up anti-vice measures

Jul. 30, 2019

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The City Government admits challenges in the implementation of various provisions of the ordinances in the City.

“The City Government is currently confronted with various challenges and concerns in relation to the implementation and observance of the provisions of various ordinances,” the Mayor said in a press release issued by the City Information Office.

Under the Local Government Code, the mayor is empowered to enforce all laws and ordinances relative to the governance of the city and issue such executive orders for the faithful and appropriate enforcement and execution of laws and ordinance;

Among the ordinances being implemented by the City are the City Ordinance No. 0367421 Series of 2012 known as the New Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance of Davao City; Ordinance No. 004-131 Series of 2013, otherwise known as the Liquor Ban Ordinance.

Also, Ordinance No. 064-02, Series of 2002, known as “An Ordinance Prohibiting Retailers, Wholesalers, Grocery Stores, Convenience Stores and other Businesses from Selling or Allowing to be Sold to Minors in their Respective Store and Establishments Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products, Beer, Liquor and other Intoxicating Beverages and Prohibiting All Minors, Aged 17 and Below from Buying Ordering and Serving, Selling or Drinking Beer, Liquor, Coconut Wine, Ordering or Smoking cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products from Wholesale, Retail Grocer or Convenience Stores and all other Business Establishments in the City of Davao” in relation to Section 7 of the Ordinance.

Following this, the Mayor signed an Executive order mandating the City Vices Regulation Unit (VRU) to implement the Sobriety Ordinance.

In the EO 11 series of 2019 signed earlier this month, the VRU shall ensure that “drinking alcoholic beverages in public streets” in the City is prohibited.

The Sobriety Ordinance passed March of 2018 mandates the prohibition of “drinking or consuming of alcoholic beverages in public streets, sidewalks, public parks and playgrounds and other public areas.”

VRU which was created in 2017 is tasked to implement the various vice implementing measures of the city.

With the EO, the VRU is now tasked to implement not just the Liquor Ban Ordinance and the New Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance, but the said Sobriety Ordinance as well. (davaotoday.com)

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