DILG to ban drinking on the streets, late videoke sessions, more to make streets 'safer'
The Department of Interior and Local Government announced that they are now planning to strictly implement a crackdown on drinking alcohol in public streets.
In a press conference, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said that they will apprehend individuals caught drinking on public streets as part of the agency’s initiative to make streets safer in Metro Manila.
"Meron tayong Anti-Public Intoxication Act. Bawal na ang mag-inom sa kalye. Bawal na ang maglatag ng mga silya at mga lamesa sa mga kalye at mag-inuman," he said on Monday.
Remulla said that street drinking often leads to fights and incidents of sexual harassment.
"Sinasabihan ko ang lahat, pasensyahan tayo. Pag kayo mag-inuman sa kalye, huhulihin namin kayo," he warned.
"Pag nasa loob kayo ng mga pader niyo, mga bahay, walang problema. Pero sa labas, sa kalye, public spaces, bawal na ang inuman," he added.
Other prohibitions
Aside from the alcohol ban, the DILG will impose stricter curfew ordinances for minors. Individuals without proof of employment or schooling will no longer be allowed to stay on the streets after 10 p.m.
Going shirtless in public streets is also prohibited.
"It is an act of civility na magbihis naman kayo habang nasa kalye kayo. Pag kayo ay walang suot na t-shirt na palakad-lakad—kahit gaano kainit, magsando man lang kayo—bawal na po 'yan," Remulla underscored.
The agency will also be implementing a crackdown on videoke sessions that are happening past 10 p.m.
"Alam ko lahat ng Pilipino mahilig kumanta, maraming magaling kumanta, masarap kumanta, lalo na barkada. Pero maawa naman kayo sa kapwa niyo at hayaan niyo na matulog," he said.
According to Remulla, the only exception would be during fiestas or when you have secured a barangay permit.
"Kung araw-araw na lang, maawa naman kayo sa mga kapitbahay niyo. May mga bata diyan, matutulog na," he said.
He advised the public to call 911 or nearby authorities to report the incident.
These inititatives will initially be rolled out in the National Capital Region before being implemented in other major urban centers nationwide.
Police will be patroling areas where nightlife and tourism activities are most prominent, including Bonifacio Global City, Poblacion in Makati, Malate, Roxas Boulevard, Katipunan, Maginhawa, and Timog in Quezon City.
The program is also planned to be roll out in Cebu, Baguio, Bacolod, and Davao.
"Bakit po natin ginagawa 'to? Nakikita natin na ang mayorya ng krimen na nangyayari ay sa mga urban areas. So it's time to make the people feel safer about where they live," Remulla explained. (with reports from Rainier Allan Ronda)