From January to July, Davao City receives P7 million in fines
2 min read
NO SMOKING. The Davao City Vices Regulation Unit collects PHP7.2 million worth of fines from violators as of July 2023. The anti-smoking violators have the highest paid penalty with PHP4.43 million, followed by liquor ban at PHP2.3 million. (PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.)
MindanaoHerald | From January to July, Davao City receives P7 million in fines | DAVAO CITY – As of July of this year, violators had paid PHP7.2 million in fines to the Vices Regulation Unit (VRU) of the City Mayor’s Office.
Thursday, data from the VRU showed that from January to July, PHP4.4 million came from fines and penalties for the anti-smoking law, PHP2.3 million came from the liquor ban, and PHP468,000 came from people not being sober.
Hernando Las, the head of the VRU, said that most of the cases involved people breaking the city’s bans on smoking and drinking alcohol. He said that the VRU worked with the local police to catch those who broke the law, especially after the pandemic.
“After 1 a.m., if we see a full or half-full beer on your table, that will be proof that we will write down before giving you a ticket. Las said in an interview, “As long as it’s between 1 a.m. and 8 a.m.
The city’s booze ban says that people can’t buy or drink alcohol in public from 1 a.m. to 8 a.m. Even having alcohol in your hands during the time frame given is a violation of the measure.
From January to July of this year, 4,600 people have been arrested for breaking the anti-smoking law, according to the VRU. This is more than the 3,551 people who were arrested during the same time in 2022.
Out of the total, 4,355 people have done what they were told to do, while 245 cases are still in court.
Las urged people not to smoke in public places and instead to go to places that are made for smoking. Even people who are just visiting the city have to follow the law.
“There are places to smoke in malls and other big places,” Las said.
Under booze ban violations, Las said that the number of arrests this year is up by 199 compared to the same time period last year. This year, there have been 1,121 arrests, while last year there were only 922.
774 of these cases have been solved, while 347 are still in court. (via PNA)
