The drinking of liquor inside public markets in the city is now strictly prohibited according to a city official.

The restriction is intended to prevent conflicts and other disturbances inside market premises, said Jun Besa, city market administrator.

He also noted that drinking areas taint the image of public markets which were not intended to cater to such establishments.

The restriction is under the market ordinance enacted in 1996 which has not been strictly implemented.

Besa clarified that selling liquor in the premises is not prohibited but drinking alcoholic drinks in public places such as marketplaces is illegal.

Store owners in markets who violate the restriction will be fined P500 to P5, 000 and possibly face imprisonment.

The market administrator also said that the strict implementation of the ordinance was also pushed to support the new administration under President Rodrigo Duterte who is also against drinking in public areas.

According to Besa, the smoking ban in public markets has also not been strictly implemented in the city.

The proper implementation of the ordinances will now be observed so these laws, which went through lengthy processes before their approval, would not go to waste, he added. (with reports from Allen Doydora)