By: MARIEL VEATRYXZ RAMOS
A bar located meters away from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) was caught continuing operations last Oct. 8 even after it was shut down.
Brayan Requinala, head of Barangay 470 Zone 46’s Committee on Sports and Youth Development, said they just thought of checking Viewpoint, a student lounge originally built as a fast food restaurant serving silog meals, to check the establishment, but they were shocked after discovering that they were still operating.
A bar located meters away from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) was caught continuing operations last Oct. 8 even after it was shut down.
Brayan Requinala, head of Barangay 470 Zone 46’s Committee on Sports and Youth Development, said they just thought of checking Viewpoint, a student lounge originally built as a fast food restaurant serving silog meals, to check the establishment, but they were shocked after discovering that they were still operating.
“Naisip lang namin na daanan at tingnan kung tumatanggap pa rin ba sila ng costumers at kung nagseserve pa ba sila ng alak. Ayun, sakto lumalabag pa rin sila sa batas, at may nahuli na mga students sa loob na umiinom,” Requinala said.
Upon checking the establishment, 11 students were caught drinking liquor. They were brought to the barangay hall where Chairman Harry Nagal reprimanded them.
One of the students, who does not want to be named, said they did not know that Viewpoint was already closed.
“Hindi po namin alam na sarado na, hindi naman po naka-lock yung gate. Bakit naman po nag-serve pa sa amin ng alak kung sarado na po,” the student said.
Viewpoint owner Reynaldo Padilla was not present during the inspection.
The establishment was closed after violating Republic Act 1224, which prohibits bars and similar establishments from operating outside a radial of 50 meters from schools, churches, and hospitals.
Citizens living near the establishments said this is not the first time Viewpoint was caught operating despite prohibitions.
“Sikat na ‘yan sa mga estudyante, palagi yang nararaid pero papalit palit lang yan ng name,” said Carla Santiago, an alumna of UST.
According to a source, it was closed last year because parents reported that Viewpoint was serving liquor to high school students.
“Madaming narereport jan na magulo daw at may mga nagmamarijuana, nagshashabu at marami ding scandal diyan,” Requinala added. With reports from Angeli Mae S. Cantillana and Krystel Nicole A. Sevilla
Upon checking the establishment, 11 students were caught drinking liquor. They were brought to the barangay hall where Chairman Harry Nagal reprimanded them.
One of the students, who does not want to be named, said they did not know that Viewpoint was already closed.
“Hindi po namin alam na sarado na, hindi naman po naka-lock yung gate. Bakit naman po nag-serve pa sa amin ng alak kung sarado na po,” the student said.
Viewpoint owner Reynaldo Padilla was not present during the inspection.
The establishment was closed after violating Republic Act 1224, which prohibits bars and similar establishments from operating outside a radial of 50 meters from schools, churches, and hospitals.
Citizens living near the establishments said this is not the first time Viewpoint was caught operating despite prohibitions.
“Sikat na ‘yan sa mga estudyante, palagi yang nararaid pero papalit palit lang yan ng name,” said Carla Santiago, an alumna of UST.
According to a source, it was closed last year because parents reported that Viewpoint was serving liquor to high school students.
“Madaming narereport jan na magulo daw at may mga nagmamarijuana, nagshashabu at marami ding scandal diyan,” Requinala added. With reports from Angeli Mae S. Cantillana and Krystel Nicole A. Sevilla