Regulations on Bar Operations in the Philippines

Bars cannot be established within 200 lineal meters from certain public buildings and places, including city halls, provincial capitols, public schools, churches, hospitals, athletic stadiums, public parks, and institutions of learning or charity.

Bars must be well-lit at all times with no dark corners.
Must maintain good sanitary conditions.
Private rooms or separate compartments are prohibited, except for lavatories, ladies’ dressing rooms, and kitchens.

General operating hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight daily, except on Saturdays and days before official holidays and town fiestas when they may operate until 2:00 a.m.
Exceptions on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve were made.
Bars with regular restaurant or refreshment parlor licenses may serve meals or non-intoxicating drinks outside these hours but cannot sell alcoholic beverages during closed hours.
Any establishment selling alcoholic beverages is considered a bar for operational hour restrictions.

Minors under 18, intoxicated persons, and those carrying deadly weapons (except government officials on duty) are barred from entry or remaining on the premises.
Minors under 18 may only enter if accompanied by parents or guardians during private parties; minors under 15 are never allowed.
Female employees working as professional hostesses, waitresses, or dancers must be at least 21 years old and certified free of contagious diseases; those aged 18 to 20 may work with parental consent.
Medical certification must be renewed every three months.
Women found with contagious diseases or convicted for immoral conduct or violations lose employment.
Female employees must leave premises after closing hours.

The Department of the Interior supervises bars and enforces these regulations.
Local mayors may assign police to maintain order or enforce rules in bars when necessary or requested by operators.

Permits for opening or operation are issued by city or provincial treasurers or authorized representatives.
Permits are only issued if all provisions of the Order are complied with.

Operators must obtain a license from local treasurers, requiring payment of fees: minimum P100 annually or P25 quarterly.
Higher fees prescribed by existing ordinances or approved by the President remain valid.

Anyone can file a complaint with the Secretary of the Interior if a bar is established in an unauthorized place.
The Secretary may investigate and decide the case, including canceling permits or licenses.

Actions of local treasurers on permit and license issuance may be appealed to the Secretary of the Interior whose decision is final.

Permits or licenses must be revoked if gambling or prohibited games occur on the premises, based on satisfactory evidence.

Violations of regulations result in permit withdrawal and license revocation by the Secretary of the Interior.
Such revocations cause forfeiture of fees paid to local government units.

Bars operating as of January 1, 1941, in prohibited locations or not meeting building requirements must comply, close, or transfer within one year.
The Secretary of the Interior, with presidential approval, may authorize continuance in special cases for justifiable reasons.