THE CITY Vices Regulation Unit (VRU) collected P7 million in fines from violators of the liquor ban, anti-smoking, and sobriety ordinances as of July 2023.
Hernando Las, the VRU head, said most of the cases involved liquor ban violations.
“Ang kasagaran ani kay liquor ban katong dakop, nitabang naman gud ang mga PNP pod, nitabang ang PNP og dakop sa liquor ban [violators] tungod kay wala na’y pandemic (The increase was due to the liquor ban, the majority are violations on the liquor ban during the apprehension with the help of the PNP since the pandemic ended),” Las said.
Along with the Philippine National Police, the VRU has been working on strictly implementing the ordinances, especially after the pandemic.
The buying and drinking of liquor in public places from 1 a.m. to 8 a.m. is a violation of the liquor ban ordinance of the city.
Las also clarified that even the possession of alcoholic beverages within the said time is counted as a violation of the ordinance.
“Pag lapas sa ala una basta mao na na ug makakita mi’g naa’y beer sa imong lamisa bisag naa’y sulod na siya o tunga na siya, basta naa’y makitang ebidensiya mao na’y among picturan unya pagkahuman isyuhan na’g (ticket). Basta paglapas ala una hangtod alas otso sa buntag (After 1 a.m., if we see a beer on your table, whether it was full or half-full, that is already considered as evidence that we will document before issuing a citation ticket. As long as it is after 1 a.m. until 8 in the morning), ” Las explained.
He also said that there are still many violators of the anti-smoking ordinance of the city, especially during the 38th Kadayawan Festival.
“Daghan gihapon kay daghan mag pabadlong diri sa atoa labi na tong panahon sa 38th Kadayawan. (There are still a lot because there are still those who misbehave in our city, especially during the 38th Kadayawan. A lot of violators were arrested during that time although some were not from Davao, but they are not exempted).”
The VRU reminded the public to avoid smoking in public places and use designated smoking areas.
Visitors in the city are also not exempt from the ordinance.“Naa man ta’y sa mga mall, naa tay mga designated smoking area ana, mga dagko nga establishment (We have designated smoking areas in malls and big establishments),” Las said.
