Law Summary
Location Restrictions
- Prohibits establishment of night clubs, cabarets, dancing schools, or dance halls within 1000 lineal meters of city/municipal buildings, public plazas, schools, churches, hospitals, stadiums, parks, or charitable institutions.
Building and Sanitary Requirements
- Must have a properly ventilated, well-lit, and safe dancing area without dark corners.
- No private rooms or compartments except lavatories, ladies dressing rooms, bars, and kitchens.
- For establishments also operating hotels, dancing and dining areas must be separate from lodging rooms.
- Separate lavatories required for men and women.
- Building safety certification by city/district engineer required.
- Must be enclosed by fence with a single entrance, no direct connections to dwellings except through entrance.
- Must provide proper parking arrangements to prevent congestion.
Operational Days and Hours
- Operate 5 p.m. to 12 midnight daily, except for Saturdays, holidays, and town fiestas when open until 2 a.m.
- On Christmas and New Year's Eves, different provisions apply (not open late).
- Establishments also licensed as restaurants may serve food outside these hours but cannot permit dancing.
Restrictions on Admittance and Employment
- No admission or presence allowed for:
- Minors under eighteen unless accompanied by parents/guardians for private parties.
- Persons carrying firearms (except government officials on duty).
- Intoxicated persons.
- Female professional hostesses and dancers must be at least 21, with medical clearance certifying freedom from contagious diseases, obtained every three months.
- Women 18 to under 21 may be employed with parental consent.
- Employment terminated upon detection of contagious disease or conviction of immoral conduct.
Supervision and Enforcement
- Supervised by the Department of the Interior.
- May assign policemen to maintain order and enforce regulations.
Permit Issuance Requirements
- Permits issued by city or provincial treasurer or authorized representative.
- Applicant must comply with all provisions of the Order to secure a permit.
Licensing and Fees
- Operators must also obtain licenses from local treasurers.
- Minimum license fee: P200 annually or P50 quarterly.
- Existing higher fees remain unless modified by the President.
- Local governments may increase fees with Presidential approval.
Complaints and Administrative Actions
- Anyone may file protests about unauthorized establishments with the Secretary of the Interior.
- The Secretary can investigate and cancel permits or licenses.
- Appeals against treasurers' decisions may be taken to the Secretary of the Interior with final decisions.
Grounds and Procedure for Revocation
- Permits/licenses revoked if gambling or prohibited games occur on premises.
- Violations of regulations lead to permit/license withdrawal and forfeiture of paid fees to the local government.
Transitional Provisions for Existing Establishments
- Existing establishments violating location/building rules given one year to comply, close, or transfer.
- The Secretary of the Interior may grant extension or allow continued operation with Presidential approval in justified cases.