Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 326)
A bar is any place or establishment whose principal business is the sale of alcoholic beverages or liquors of any kind to be used or consumed within its premises.
A bar that allows music or dancing within its premises is considered a night club, cabaret, dancing school, or dance hall and is subject to the provisions of Executive Order No. 319.
No bar shall be established within 200 lineal meters from city halls, municipal buildings, provincial capitols, national capitol buildings, public plazas, public schools, churches, hospitals, athletic stadiums, public parks, or institutions of learning or charity.
Bars must be well-lighted at all times with no dark corners, maintained in good sanitary condition, and must not have private rooms or separate compartments except for lavatories, dressing rooms for ladies, and kitchens.
Bars may operate from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight daily except Saturdays and days before official holidays and town fiestas when they can operate until 2:00 a.m. Bars that also operate as restaurants may serve meals and nonintoxicating drinks outside these hours.
Minors under 18 years old, intoxicated persons, and persons carrying deadly weapons or firearms (except government officials performing public functions) are prohibited from entering bars. Minors under 15 years old are never allowed admission.
Women must be at least 21 years old and certified free from contagious or infectious diseases to be employed as professional hostess, waitress, or dancer. Women aged 18-20 may be employed with parental or guardian consent, and a medical certificate must be obtained every three months.
The Department of the Interior supervises and enforces the provisions of this Executive Order, with assistance from local mayors and assigned policemen as needed for maintaining peace and order.
A permit for opening or operating a bar must be issued by the city or provincial treasurer upon compliance with the Order. A separate license must also be obtained with a fee of not less than 100 pesos annually or 25 pesos quarterly, subject to adjustment by local ordinances and presidential approval.
Violation of the regulations leads to withdrawal of the permit and revocation of the license by the Secretary of the Interior. Such revocation forfeits all paid fees to the city or municipality concerned.
The Secretary of the Interior shall revoke any permit or license granted if there is satisfactory evidence that gambling or prohibited games occurred within the bar premises.
Bars in operation as of January 1, 1941, within prohibited zones or not meeting building requirements have one year to close, transfer, or comply. The Secretary of the Interior with presidential approval may authorize continuance for justifiable reasons.
Persons under 18 years old may be admitted during private parties if accompanied by their parents or guardians, but minors under 15 years old are never allowed admission.
No female employees such as professional hostesses, waitresses, or dancers are allowed to remain within bar premises after closing hours.