Davao del Sur

So bars and related establishments owners in Davao City are proposing to the local government that the allowable hours for selling liquor from the current 10 in the evening to 12 midnight be extended by at least another two hours. That is, from 10 p.m. to 2 .M.

The city is implementing an ordinance banning the selling of liquor by establishments like bars, night clubs and related watering holes all over the city. Since the the effectivity of the ordinance, bar and related establishment owners have been complaining, though less vocally, of diminishing income due to the short window hours for liquor enthusiasts.

Then last July 30 owners of such businesses finally had the courage to voice out their concern. They did it during an assembly set by the City’s Vice Regulatory Unit (VRU) headed by Jacy Jay Francia.

The ban which is provided under the so-called “Sobriety Ordinance” mandates that buying and selling of liquor and drinking in public places is no longer allowed from 1 a.m. to 8 a.m. The ordinance also prescribes that the last order for liquor must be done by customers and catered to by the concerned establishments by 12 midnight. Huge fine is imposed on violators.

And finally the owners of such business firms gathered enough courage to voice out their complaints against the ban and hope to get the ears of the members of the City Council.

Well, our take on the issue is that with the present Sanggunian members it is not far-fetch that they might consider studying the existing “sobriety ordinance.” After all, the bigger the income of establishments catering to the most common of people’s vices – drinking intoxicating beverages – the bigger the income of the city from out of taxes levied on liquor and wine.

We would therefore not be surprised if the owners of bars, night clubs and watering holes disguising as simple restaurants be toasting to every liquor aficionado, “Let us drink to that,” once they get what they desired for long – extending the hours allowed for selling liquor.

But why are only a few such establishment owners or operators joining the clamor for amending the ordinance?

To quite the column head of our fellow former Mindanao Times editor-in-chief Ed Fernandez, “Plain and Simple,” many among the establishments are actually selling liquor and related drinks even during the prohibited hours. They do it clandestinely though.

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A member of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) was tested positive of illegal drugs during a recent random testing done by the police command.

The identity of the non-commissioned member of the police was not revealed as well as the unit where he is assigned.

From the statement made by DCPO acting director Manan Muarip his office is taking the necessary administrative and legal actions against the concerned policeman.

From where we are perched we view the acting DCPO director as one sincere and no-nonsense police official. Therefore, we are certain that he will not allow this violation by a member of his force of one no-no practice by an officer of the law to escape unpunished.

We have no doubt the Colonel will allow this early for his stint as Davao City Police Director to be tarnished with any wrong-doing of a single member of his command.

The addictive drug-positive policeman must be made to suffer the consequence of his action. After all, in tarnishing himself he also will likely destroy the reputation of the entire Davao City Police command. More so, if he will be allowed to escape accountability of his action.

Let the axe fall on him with full force should the investigation prove his undesirable demeanor.

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Well, no less than the Congressman of the lone district of Davao del Sur is sponsoring a bill seeking to convert the Municipality of Sta. Cruz in the same province into another city.

Income-wise Sta. Cruz very well qualifies to become a component city. By population it too meets the requirement.

But what is going to happen to Davao del Sur if so much in its present income will be taken from it? Imagine how much will be lost from the provincial treasury if the share of the province of Davao del Sur from taxes paid by such corporate giants as San Miguel Corporation, Franklin Baker Corp. the Sea Oil Depot, part of Aboitiz-owned Therma South, Hedcor Sibulan, and several other high-income firms.

Of course, there are new large establishment sprouting in other municipalities of the Southern Davao Province. Hence, we assume that the Congressman Bill sponsor, knows his province more than anybody else.