Guimbal beerhouse closed for employing teener
A beerhouse in Guimbal, Iloilo was padlocked by police Friday following an earlier spot inspection that led to the discovery of a minor "Guest Relations Officer (GRO)" here.
Armed with a Closure Order issued by Mayor Christine Garin, Acting Police Chief, Senior Police Officer IV Janelo Gepana implemented the immediate closure.
The closure is temporary in nature though or for a period of seven days.
"Such closure is in addition to the imposition of fines provided for..," excerpts of the Closure Order obtained by The News Today (TNT) went. Serving as prima facie evidence was a police blotter cum certification of the Inspection Teams' adverse findings.
Subject beerhouse was "Appetizer Videoke Bar" in Barangay Nanga with one Efren Cava of Mandurriao, Iloilo City as reported owner.
In a report, TNT gathered that caught by the inspection team in flagrante delicto or literally, ‘red-handed,' was the 16 year-old beerhouse entertainer comfortably seated on the lap of a male customer. Added to her misfortune was further discovery of an alcoholic drink in her possession. In same table and in the same situation was a co-beerhouse GRO who to her credit, was of legal age thus no impediment to her sitting on someone's lap or drinking alcoholic beverages.
The sight was enough for the Inspection Team to call it a night for the teen GRO, her colleagues and the rest of the beerhouse management. Minutes after the said spot inspection, it was off to the police station for everybody. Interestingly enough, not one is a resident of Guimbal.
The 16 year-old GRO is from Aganan, Pavia, Iloilo, townmate of beerhouse cashier 30 year-old Gertrudes Asis of Barangay Balabag. Asis was placed under police custody pending disposition of her case alongside 22 year-old Evalyn Anino of Alimodian, Iloilo, 24 year-old Jennylyn Cavite of Sagay, Negros Occidental and 27 year-old Michele Palmes of Passi City.
The teen GRO on the other hand was turned over to the town's social welfare and development officer. TNT learned that yet another turn over was underway to the teener's guardian.
For hiring a minor and knowingly allowing her employ in the beerhouse cum videoke bar, the management will be held responsible.
The Inspection Team was comprised of members of the town police and government social welfare officials.
To note, Guimbal in December 2007 passed Municipal Ordinance No. 102-2007 regulating the operation and maintenance of videoke/Karaoke bars, beerhouses and similar establishments. Penalties were prescribed for violations thereof.
The Ordinance, TNT gathered, was pushed amidst concerns of residents here on proliferation of said entertainment nightspots.
It was also pushed to safeguard the public morals and "to prevent and suppress any and all forms of activities inimical to the general welfare and morals of the people and to preserve the dignity and decency of women."
Councilors Mario Louis Garibay Sr., Dolores Lencioco and Gregorio Genzola sponsored the Ordinance backed by the Guimbal Municipal Council.