THE VICES Regulation Unit (VRU) recorded a significant increase in the collections from anti-smoking and liquor ban ordinances implementation for the first half of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024.
VRU head Jacy Jay Francia attributed the increase to the increased fees due to the amendments of the Anti-Smoking and Liquor Ban ordinance.
From January to June 2025, total fines and fees collected reached P8,431,200, nearly double the P4,754,500 in 2024.
Most of the 2025 collection came from anti-smoking citation tickets, amounting to P7,164,700, a sharp increase from P3,286,500 the previous year.
Fines from liquor ban violations also rose to P1,079,600 from P995,000 in 2024.
For the liquor ban ordinance, a few establishments have been apprehended due to operating beyond the allowable hours.
Francia said they keep track of the establishments with repeated violations and submit a report to the Business Bureau to be subject to business permit revocation.
Meanwhile, collections from the Sobriety Ordinance amounted to P112,400, which significantly decreased from P445,000 in 2024.
Francia said the decrease in the sobriety violation collection could be attributed to fewer personnel in the VRU doing the inspection. At present, there are only 50 volunteer personnel in the unit.
He added they plan to request additional personnel and to deputize personnel from the City Transport and Traffic Management Office to augment their force.
The designated smoking area permits also contributed to the increase, totaling P74,500. This comes from establishments that fail to follow the specific standards of a smoking zone, and have designated smoking zones but did not apply for a permit.
VRU is expecting an increase in collection in the upcoming Kadayawan Festival, with more visitors flocking to the city, as they might not be familiar with existing ordinances.
