The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday reiterated its directive prohibiting the drinking of alcoholic beverages in public spaces, including narrow alleys, as it pushed for stricter enforcement following an earlier announcement.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, in a follow-up interview on DZRH’s Dos Por Dos, emphasized that the policy is not new but is now being reinforced to ensure compliance at the barangay level.
“Gagawin namin ang lahat kasama namin ang mga pulis, barangay tanod, barangay captain, ipagbabawal na talaga namin ang inuman sa lansangan.”
Remulla said authorities, including the Philippine National Police, barangay officials, and community watchmen, are expected to fully implement the ban to prevent incidents of harassment and street violence linked to public drinking.
“Hindi pinatutupad at walang pakialam yung mga tao. So, kailangan ipatupad na natin yan kasi alam nyo magaling ang pulis natin, mataas ang trust rating nila but we have to bring it even higher to make the streets safer.”
He noted that drinking sessions in streets and outside neighborhood stores often lead to catcalling, coercion, and physical altercations, particularly when passersby refuse to engage.
“Kung lalaki yan sasabihin ‘tagay’, kapag ayaw gugulpihin. [Kapag] babae, binabastos naman. Karamihan ng sexual harassment nangyayari sa ganyang paraan.”
The DILG chief clarified that the prohibition applies to all individuals, not only minors, but said drinking remains allowed within private properties.
The directive covers both major roads and smaller interior streets or alleys, which Remulla said are common sites of disturbances.
“Kahit eskinita bawal na, dapat tigil na yan. Ang iniiwasan natin, number 1 syempre yung harassment, number 2 yung basag-ulo.”
Barangay officials have the primary responsibility to enforce the order. Remulla warned that failure to do so could result in administrative sanctions, including possible suspension for gross neglect of duty if complaints are filed.
“Kung may mag-complain sa kanila, gross neglect of duty ang kaso nila at pwedeng masuspinde.”
He added that similar enforcement in Cavite previously contributed to a decline in crime rates.
“Sa Cavite diyan kami natuto eh, noong pinagbawal namin ang pag-inom sa kalsada bumaba ang crime rate namin.”
Remulla also reiterated that minors aged 18 and below remain subject to curfew hours from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., unless they have valid exemptions such as school or work-related activities. Violators may be turned over to barangay authorities and referred to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
