MANILA, (PNA) — Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez has ordered recently the closure of a nightclub found operating without business permit for the last three years.
Olivarez launched a campaign against erring establishments to improve revenue collection and protect the public from unscrupulous, fly-by-night ventures.
According to Olivarez the joint task force from the Paranaque Business Permits and Licenses Office (BPLO), Mayor’s Action Team, and the Paranaque PNP raided the Enkantadia Club along Dr. A. Santos Avenue in Barangay San Antonio last week and padlocked the place after the owner failed to present any permit to operate. All its personnel were also found without working and sanitary permits.
“We have started cleaning the city of illegal businesses. Enkantadia is not only an unregistered business, it also violates our zoning ordinance. In fact, it has not secured any business permit during the last three years at least,” the first time mayor said.
“As much as we are espousing a business-friendly policy under my administration, we cannot tolerate those who do not wish to obey our laws and regulations,” the mayor added.
Olivarez said the joint task force also arrested 33 female and 11 male employees of the club who did not have working permits and sanitary clearances from the local health office, thereby posing a threat to public health.
The arrested employees had been presented to the Paranaque City Prosecutor’s Office for inquest.
Olivarez said it is up to the City Prosecutor to determine the charges to be filed against the employees and the reported owner of the place, a certain Tetchie Achica, who was not around when the joint task force arrived.
The mayor said that whatever the outcome of the inquest proceeding, Enkantadia will remain closed.
“This will be an ongoing campaign. This is just the beginning. I have instructed our BPLO chief, Atty. Melanie Malaya, to continue ridding the city of illegal establishments for the sake of our constituents,” Olivarez said.