A Guide To Davao City Ordinances and Bans (Part 1)

Much has been said about the strict rules implemented in Davao City, and how Dabawenyos are seemingly in a state of fear and restraint. As Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has continued to promote peace and order in Davao City, many people who haven’t been to the city have formulated speculations and doubts on the motivation behind some local ordinances and bans.

We at DavaoBase would like to set things straight, especially in terms of our city’s ordinances. That is why we decided to present a guide on some of the most popular Davao City ordinances and bans that have spurred viral discussions on social media.

Liquor Ban

davao liquor ban

What most people know:

The liquor ban prohibits all people from drinking alcoholic beverages in bars, establishments, and public places from 1:00 AM onwards.

What you may not know:

As an amendment to the original liquor ban (Ordinance No. 1627) in 1994, the city government issued a new ordinance in 2013 (Ordinance No. 004-13) entitled “An ordinance regulating the operation of business establishments selling liquors, coconut wine, and other nature wine and other alcoholic beverages in the city of Davao”.

The original ordinance enforced the liquor ban from 2:00 AM, but the new ordinance pushes the ban up earlier to 1:00 AM.

Here are some highlights of the amended liquor ban ordinance:

  • All persons selling or serving alcoholic beverages and other intoxicating products are prohibited to do so from 1:00 AM to 8:00 AM.
  • Drinking and consumption of alcoholic beverages and the like are prohibited in the following places: business establishments and public places (i.e. streets, plazas, parks, parking areas, and other uninhabited places).
  • The amended ordinance carries the provision of the 1994 ordinance against “all persons below legal age” to drink and/or order alcoholic beverages.

Penalties are as follows:

  • First offense: P3,000
  • Second offense: P5,000 or 3 months imprisonment, or both
  • Third and subsequent offenses: P5,000 and 1 year imprisonment, with business permit revocation

Curfew

curfew for minors davao city ordinance

Common misconception:

There are many variations to this citywide curfew. Some people say that there’s a 1:00 AM curfew and that no one is allowed to loiter around the city after this time.

The truth of the matter:

Although the city ordinance on curfew for minors cannot be found online, Duterte has been implementing this city rule since 2013. In a news release, he said that the purpose of the ordinance is to reduce “the chance of minors of being placed in conflict with the law or be victimized by criminal elements who prey on the innocent young.”

Here are some highlights of the ordinance:

  • Minors (i.e. age 18 or below) are prohibited from loitering around the city between 10:00 PM and 5:00 AM without the company of parents or guardians of legal age.
  • Parents of unescorted minors during the curfew period will be arrested (as reported in net).

In his Facebook page, Davao City councilor Peter Tiu Lavina explained that “the curfew in Davao at 10 P.M. is for unescorted minors. That’s to keep our children off the streets and should be at home sleeping or preparing for school the following day.”

curfew for minors peter tiu lavina facebook post
Peter Lavina explained how curfew is being implemented in Davao City (screencap from his Facebook page).

Smoking Ban

smoking ordinance

Common misconception:

The anti-smoking ordinance is specially crafted in Davao City as part of Mayor Duterte’s stance against the deadly vice. Smoking is prohibited in all areas in Davao City.

Truth of the matter:

The anti-smoking ordinance is based on Republic Act 8749 (Clean Air Act of the Philippines) enacted in 1999. Here is the stipulation under Article 5 Section 24 (Pollution from smoking):

Smoking inside a public building or an enclosed public place including public vehicles and other means of transport or in any enclosed area outside of one’s private residence, private place of work or any duly designated smoking area is hereby prohibited under this Act. This provision shall be implemented by the LGUs.

In alignment with this law, the city government passed Ordinance No. 043-02 (Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance of Davao) in 2002. Ten years after, the city rule was expanded to the New Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance of Davao (Ordinance No. 0367-12).

Here are some highlights of the ordinance:

  • The implementing rules and regulations apply to the following: all means of public transportation, accommodation and entertainment establishments, workplaces, enclosed public places and buildings, and public outdoor spaces.
  • Establishments may put up designated smoking areas, pending a certificate of compliance from the Office of the City Mayor through the Anti-Smoking Task Force. These areas should be in open spaces not larger than 5 square meters, be at least 10 meters from entry / exit and convergence points, and have a prominently displayed “SMOKING AREA” sign.
  • The scope of the ordinance includes the smoking of tobacco products, shisha, electronic cigarettes, or any similar device.

Penalties are as follows:

  • First offense: P1,000 or 1 month imprisonment, or both
  • Second offense: P2,500 or 2 months imprisonment, or both
  • Third and subsequent offenses: P5,000 or 4 months imprisonment, or both

All of these things point to one simple fact: The local government of Davao City is simply following the 1999 RA, and is in no way a “special” or “unique” city ordinance.

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Watch out for Part 2 of our guide on Davao City ordinances, where we will discuss city rules on firecrackers, videoke, and speed limit.

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24 comments

  1. Clarification regarding the smoking ban. I was caught smoking in October last year (stopped ever since) and was fined only 500 pesos and had to attend an anti-smoking seminar. If you don’t have a valid government ID to prove your identity, you will be brought in by the police until a family member picks you up. 2nd offense is 1000 pesos. I forgot the fine for the 3rd offense and above, but you will be given a criminal record. Also unsure if it involves imprisonment.

    • Chito | DavaoBase.com

      Thanks for sharing your firsthand experience. It’s possible that the police station gave consideration to you, or they’ve been ordered to reduce fines. But hey, congratulations on your decision to quit smoking! 🙂

      • Upon reading this I have been looking for the leaflet given to me by the Police officer from Sta. Ana Police Station. Actually 500 is the fine for those caught first time. They have this “no contest provision”. Either you pay the 500 or be criminally charge after several days. The 1000 or being jailed will be charged/done to you if you will be caught again, and they call this as the 1st offense. Perharps if you will be caught “1st time” or with the 500 fine it would be considered as “warning”, this is my assumption.

    • For those apprehended first time they have the no contest provision. In which you will be given 3 days to pay the 500 fine. If you are caught again that is when they would charge you with the “first time offense” amounting to P1000. A police officer had given me a leaflet about the ordinace as well. I could send you the copy, will look for it in my file. I am actually a tourguide of Davao City so I always say this to my guests.

  2. You may want to put a photo of the designated SMOKING AREA so people outside Davao City can have a picture of it. Might also help them understand that the Mayor is not suppressing their right to do it.

    • yeah but he really hammers the point of dont smoke anymore 🙂 i mean in the middle of the parking lot under the sun where everybody can see you look like a you’re in a petting zoo hahaha

  3. I’m a citizen of the Philippines and I voted for President Rodrigo Duterte. I don’t have any problems if this list will be implemented nationwide. OK nga e! Especially for the minors. But for the vices I think they should revise it. I’m sure there are a lot people who will get hit by it and I am sure they will be upset at some point. Yes for discipline but that is way too much.

    • There’s no too much in the law! 🙂

    • Chito | DavaoBase.com

      I’m sure that when these rules become national laws, there will be a gradual roll-out of implementing rules and regulations and not become a sudden imposition. In Davao, it started with establishments being allowed indoor smoking areas, until this was altogether removed years after. Bottom line, I believe this mindset of change is good for the general public. Thanks for your inputs, Richie!

  4. Walter P. Komarnicki

    all very sensible steps for people’s welfare and security.
    but why no mention of the ban against fireworks?
    that is an eminently practical suggestion to prevent injuries and stop hospitals becoming like war zone field hospitals on new year’s eve.

    • Chito | DavaoBase.com

      Hi Walter! This is just part 1 of our series of articles on Davao City ordinances. We’ll be releasing the next part soon, and it includes the fireworks ban. Thanks for dropping by!

  5. Where can we complain if a neighborhood bully violates the 9pm curfew for loud karaoke?

  6. Hello ! Gusto ko lang po itanong kung bakit lumaki yung bill ban ng kapatid ko samantalang 1st offense lng yung nagawa nya which is 3k lng dapat yung babayaran bakit umabot ho ng 5k? Davao area po kami.

  7. Good pm. Tanong ko lang po. Ano po pwedeng gawin pag yung kapit bahay nyo ang ingay2 tapos hindi sila sa loob ng bahay nila nag iingay kundi sa labas ng bahay/sa daanan na. Thank you.

  8. may i know what time talaga yung liquor ban sa davao city, kasi pag kaka alam ko up to 2am, last order 1am, then it was revised to 1am and strictly implemented so liquor banned start at 1am to 8am and this is the current liquor banned, am i right ? here kasi at brgy. bucana particularly in our place saint john purok 12-A , under purok leader SEMAN, i was told not to sell liquor at 10pm by certain PAGAL a team leader of volunteer brgy. tanod, that the city ordinance daw, so its because its been said so all i have to do is to follow.. even though i know that the banned start at 1am-8am, the sad thing was i did not sell at 10pm but few meters from my store the sell even on the banned time but the one who told me not to sell is doing nothing…. it’s unfair.. and as i see it in the facebook page of our barangay it was clearly post their this….. A Guide To Davao City Ordinances and Bans (Part 1)…. please help need your reply asap so that i can make a formal complaint against the said team leader…. thank you and more power

  9. nah,paano ma implement mga yan kung mga tao sa gobyerno pakitang tao lang kumilos,dito nga sa calinan district ,madaming nag smoking sa kalsada,mga lalaking walang pang itaas,mga nag iinuman sa may tabi ng kalsada, ilan dekada na ako sa calinan pero mga tao sa barangay or pnp walang aksyion,pakitang tao lang,dyan na kikilos pag may nangyareng masama…

  10. For those apprehended first time they have the no contest provision. In which you will be given 3 days to pay the 500 fine. If you are caught again that is when they would charge you with the “first time offense” amounting to P1000. A police officer had given me a leaflet about the ordinace.

  11. My neighbor keeps a barking dog caged in his carport.
    The dog barks constantly before 0800 and frequently from 1600-2200. It is not taken out of its cage. It is not walked. And we have been around when it has been left without food or water over weekends or holidays. Is there a nieusance or neglect ordinance about them and we live in a gated subdivision.

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  13. I’m new here in Davao and is planning on riding a cruiser skateboarf going to work since my office is near where I stay, my shift is normally at 1AM, are there any ordinances or rules regarding this?

  14. This night me and my friends are caught leaving our trash in the chairs and a guy gave us the ticket since they said it is part of the city ordinance about anti loitering but I research now, I can’t even find a news about that.. is that ordinance really exist?

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