Gov’t warns against sale of alcohol beyond allowed time

The commerce department will strictly monitor the sale of alcoholic beverages during the holiday season, even when the allowed selling time is extended from the usual 2:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. on New Year’s eve.

In what appears to be an acceptance that drinking is part of the celebration for both Christmas and New Year, the commerce department is allowing the sale of alcoholic beverages beyond 2:00 a.m. on Dec. 31, 2000 by class-3 on-sale establishments.

The government is, however, firm that strict disciplinary actions will be taken against establishments that would abuse the authorized extended hours, according to Commerce Secretary Frankie Villanueva.

The commerce department during the weekend issued a notice announcing that Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio allowed the extension of the authorized selling and serving of alcoholic beverages in class-3 on-sale establishments.

The commerce chief stressed that the extended hours are only for Sunday evening, Dec. 31, 2000 until 4:00 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 1, 2001. “This authorization does not allow for any further expansion of the extended hours. Any abuse of the extension will not be tolerated.”

The Department of Commerce’s Alcohol Beverage and Tobacco Control Division earlier this month joined increased government campaign against drunk driving through a series of classes aimed at educating establishments about serving liquor responsibly.

ABTC Director Andrew Salas, in an earlier interview, emphasized the need to safeguard Northern Marianas streets against drunk drivers especially during the holidays when alcoholic beverages are a usual part of the celebration.

The Department of Public Safety tapped the assistance of the ABTC three years ago in its program on the prevention of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

The combined efforts of DPS and ABTC managed to significantly pull down alcohol-related road accident fatalities from about nine victims three years back to two last year, according to Mr. Salas.

At present, the division has issued license to more than 800 alcohol sellers throughout the Northern Marianas although there are still a number of establishments that are selling alcohol without the benefit of a permit from the government.

Mr. Salas called on establishment managers to strictly require customers, especially those who appear to be below 21 years old, to show identification cards in order to make sure that no minor is served alcoholic beverages.

He added that volunteers from the private sector will also be mobilized to assist in the Ride Along Program during the holidays, wherein they will be tasked to drive drunk customers back to their respective residence.