“Maglagay ng alkohol sa kamay, huwag sa t’yan (Put alcohol on your hands, not in your tummy)….”

We have seen social media memes similar to the one above as the enhanced community quarantine goes on for over a week now.  And Valenzuela City residence would have to be contented doing just that.

During the 8^th City Council of Valenzuela’s 32^nd Regular Session held on Monday, March 23, City Ordinance No. 681, Series of 2020, or the “Stay Sober Ordinance” was approved for immediate implementation. 

Under the ordinance which was authored principally by 1^st District Councilor; Atty. Bimbo Dela Cruz; sale, delivery, purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages are temporarily prohibited for as long as the enhanced community quarantine is sill in effect.

National and local pronouncements order people to stay at home and to maintain social distancing, which are being followed at grocery store lines, at places of work, and even at government meetings.  Holding drinking sessions of alcoholic beverages, however, may establish defiance of the two key measures to contain COVID-19 pandemic.

The ordinance, likewise, prohibits anyone to “appear, traverse, or loiter in public places within the City of Valenzuela while under the influence of alcohol.”

The new local law is in consonance with Presidential Proclamation No. 922 declaring public health emergency throughout the country due to COVID-19, enjoining all national agencies and local government units to render full assistance and cooperation, and mobilizing the necessary resources to undertake critical, urgent, and appropriate response and measure to curtail and eliminate the virus.

Those that will be found in violation of the ordinance, both individuals and businesses, shall face an administrative fine of PhP 5,000 and confiscation of the alcoholic beverages [per every] violation made.

Businesses duly registered with the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) of Valenzuela City shall also be penalized with revocation of their permits.

The Ordinance aims to the preserve public peace and order and to deter unnecessary social convergence from happening while the entire Luzon is in strict enhanced community quarantine.

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