THE Davao City council has passed on third and final reading last week a “sobriety ordinance,” which prohibits “drinking or consuming of alcoholic beverages in public streets, sidewalks, public parks and playgrounds and other public areas.”

Councilor Ma. Belen S. Acosta, chair of the committee on peace and public safety and proponent of the ordinance, said, “The ordinance seeks to regulate the drinking or consuming of alcoholic beverages which include any drink which contains alcohol as an active agent.”

Violation is punishable by a fine of P3,000 for the first offense, P5,000 and/or imprisonment of three months for the second time, and P5,000 and/or imprisonment of one year for the third offense. Exempted from the prohibition are customers of any establishment whose business is authorized or permitted by the city government to use a portion or part of the street, sidewalk or public area. It also exempts special occasions or festivities that shall be authorized or permitted by the city government or barangay. The city also has an existing liquor ban under an earlier ordinance, which “prohibits selling, serving, drinking and consumption of liquors and alcoholic beverages from   1 a.m. to 8 a.m.” — Carmencita A. Carillo

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