No booze for kids: Kalinga Prov’l Health Board pushes ban on liquor sales to minors; Violators face ₱5K fine, 1 year in jail

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — The Provincial Health Board (PHB) is pushing for a measure that would prohibit the sale and provision of alcoholic beverages to minors in Kalinga, citing concerns over underage drinking and its potential health and safety consequences.

Under the proposed measure, establishments and individuals engaged in the sale of alcoholic beverages would be prohibited from selling, serving, furnishing, distributing, or facilitating access to liquor for persons below the legal drinking age.

Business establishments found violating the proposed ordinance may face a fine of up to ₱5,000 for each offense, without prejudice to possible action against their permits or licenses by the appropriate government office.

Individuals who violate the prohibition may, upon conviction, face a fine of up to ₱5,000, imprisonment of up to one year, or both, at the discretion of the court.

Measure also targets drinking-related accidents

In an interview with GURU Press, OPHO Health Education and Promotion Officer II Alona Bagtang said the proposed measure is not only intended to protect minors from the health effects of alcohol but also to help prevent accidents involving underage drinkers.

She particularly cited motorcycle-related accidents involving minors who drive after consuming alcohol.

“Aside from health purposes, kayat tau nga ma-lessen kuma dagiti minors nga aginum gapu ngarud kadagiti motorcycle accidents nga mostly involve ket minors. Tumured da nga agpataray nu nakainum da, ken maysa pay, awan pay ordinance ti province nga mangiparit iti minors,” Bagtang said.

Bagtang said the absence of a province-wide ordinance specifically prohibiting minors from accessing alcoholic beverages is among the concerns the proposed measure seeks to address.

Task force eyed for enforcement

To strengthen implementation, the proposed ordinance calls for the creation of a Provincial Task Force composed of provincial and local government offices, law enforcement agencies, and child- and youth-serving organizations.

The task force would coordinate efforts involving enforcement, age verification, monitoring, reporting, and health-promotion activities.

The proposed measure was approved by the PHB and will be endorsed to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for review and appropriate legislative action.

If enacted, the ordinance would provide Kalinga with a province-wide policy aimed at preventing minors from accessing alcohol and reducing the risks associated with underage drinking.