Posts Tagged ‘liquor tax’

Parañaque's New Liquor Ordinance

“This regulatory measure is also necessary to lessen criminality, preserve peace and order in the community, and to compel strict compliance with the prohibitions against selling and serving liquor or any intoxicating beverages especially to minors or those below 18 years of age,” Bernabe said.

Parañaque City Mayor Florencio Bernabe Jr already signed the City Ordinance that requires all businesses that manufacture, distribute, sell and serve alcoholic drinks to secure another license and a corresponding permit so that they can operate their business. In layman’s terms, another tax for entrepreneurs in this kind of business.

Under the ordinance, the licensee must see to it that only legal aged persons should be sold or served liquor. Proof of age should be demanded, in case of doubt. (Correct me if I’m wrong, I think we have national law about this.)

Businesses were categorized based on their declared capital in financial statement issued by a Certified Public Accountant.
Micro – capital investment of not more than 3 million pesos
Small – capital investment of 3 million to 15 million
Medium – capital investment of 15 million to 100 million
Large – capital investment of more than 100 million
Is this real? Paranaque City maybe a big city but in my opinion, I don’t think it is as progressive compared to other nearby cities with this figures. We may have business with these investments and can be found mostly along SLEX (South Luzon Expressway) or Roxas Boulevard but most businesses here are considered as micro and small.

The ordinance aims to regulate the establishment and operation of the liquor businesses in Paranaque. Bars, cocktail lounges, pub houses, beer gardens, night clubs, karaoke bars and other amusement places have liquor permit could sell alcoholic drinks from 10 am – 12 midnight and those who have special permit can operate from 12 midnight to 5 am. Selling and serving is strictly prohibited from 5am – 10am.

Applications for liquor licenses and special Mayor’s permits can be filed at the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) for a filing fee ranging from P10 to P100, depending on the category and classification of the business establishment. Liquor license and special permit fees depends on the business’ category. A friend of mine who recently opened a small KTV bar with Php 400,000 capital investment in Baclaran told me that BPLO billed her for 15,000 for liquor tax and special permit. If this is true, there could be another revisions of the ordinance after the last hearing in January and before it was signed by Mayor Bernabe recently.

2nd District Councilor Enrico T. Golez is the author or proponent of the said ordinance. For the record, during the last session, we have 16 councilors in 2 districts, there were 2-4 vacant seats (for absent councilors). After a short recess, there were only 5-8 councilors left in the session hall. The only Councilor who voted against the ordinance was Councilor Eric Olivarez.