Mayor orders closure of Baguio bars violating rules

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio Domogan last week ordered the closure of restaurant-bars operating without complying with the regulations and requirements.

In a memorandum, the mayor directed the city licensing division to issue notices to close operation to bars located along Upper General Luna Road that were found violating requirements on sound-proofing and general rules on sanitation and safety.

Licensing officer II and officer-in-charge Janet Aguirre said they served the notices and were prepared to close the establishments that still failed to comply last Friday.

The licensing team along with representatives from the Baguio City Police Office Station 3 and barangay officials from Upper General Luna and Salud Mitra inspected the establishments last month after residents complained of noise and nuisance from the said restobars.

The team gauged the noise coming from the bars from a certain distance and observed the operation of the bars as how the noise is created and managed.

                They found that most of the establishments did not comply with the mayor’s instructions to install sound-proofing devices.

They observed that some bars accommodate clients in their terraces causing noise due to loud voices, laughter and even yelling.  Noise also emanated from doors and windows of the bars which they keep open due to lack of ventilation and air conditioning and from customers who mingle near their vehicles.

Other violations noted were the lack of separate comfort rooms for men and women, fire escape and fire extinguishers, proper garbage storage and parking space which results to traffic congestion and even littering in the area.