Mayor Sara Z. Duterte clarified Monday that beerhouses are still not allowed to serve liquor to customers despite the lifting of the liquor ban on September 21.

In a radio interview, Mayor Sara explained that beerhouses are still on the “negative list” of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) that are prohibited to operate along with kids’ playrooms and arenas for cockfighting.

However, Duterte said establishments such as restaurants and sing-along bars whose primary product is not liquor can serve alcoholic beverages to customers.

Duterte is set to issue an executive order this week to lift the city’s liquor ban imposed since April as part of the health protocols to contain the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

Mayor Sara also reminded Dabawenyos that the lifting of the liquor ban was not a response to public clamor.

“We did not lift the liquor ban for you (residents). We lifted the liquor ban for the businesses and for the people who are working in the liquor business,” she said. (PNA)