07/10/2026
𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗜 𝗔𝗙𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗞
An Open Letter on the Future of Nightlife in Mati City
To our City Government 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐎𝐅 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐈, City Council, fellow businesses, and the people of Mati,
We don’t usually make statements like this, but as a local business and as people who genuinely believe in the potential of Mati’s growing nightlife, we think this is a conversation worth having.
This is about how we keep nightlife safe while also giving it room to grow.
Nalipay mi makita nga slowly, naga-grow ang nightlife sa Mati. Mas daghan na ang naga-gawas, mas daghan ang events, and we’re also seeing more visitors experience what our city has to offer after dark. We’ve had guests from different parts of the country, and even from outside the Philippines.
Being part of this industry has made us realize nga dako pa gyud ang potential sa nightlife sa Mati. It can help tourism, create opportunities for local businesses and workers, and give visitors another reason to stay longer and experience more of the city.
But there is one thing we believe is worth talking about.
If our understanding is incorrect or there have been subsequent amendments, we welcome clarification and correction. Based on the ordinance available to us, Municipal Ordinance No. 77, Series of 2002, allows music bars, karaoke bars, and similar establishments serving alcoholic beverages to operate only until 2:00 AM, with the serving of liquor ending at 1:30 AM.
That was twenty-four years ago. Daghan na kaayo ang nausab since then, including how people go out and experience nightlife.
Based on what we actually see in the business, people are coming out later. Naay mga gabii nga close to midnight na naga-abot ang uban guests, naga-puno pa lang ang tables, and DJs and performers are still building their programs. Then by 1:30 AM, last call na.
And this doesn’t affect bar owners alone. Apil diri ang bartenders, servers, security personnel, DJs, performers, photographers, event organizers, suppliers, transportation providers, food businesses, and many others whose work is connected to nightlife.
For visitors, we also think there should be more to experience in Mati after the beaches, tours, and daytime activities are done.
At the same time, we understand the concerns surrounding disturbances during late-night hours. Kami mismo, we want Mati’s nightlife to be safe. Nobody in this industry benefits when people associate going out at night with trouble.
At AmiGoes, we do our best to maintain a safe and orderly environment for our guests and the surrounding community. But we also recognize nga dili lang establishments ang naay role ani. Private security, law enforcement, patrons, businesses, and the City all have a part in keeping our nights safe.
And this is where we believe operating hours and peace and order should be looked at separately.
𝗜𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝟭:𝟬𝟬 𝗔𝗠, 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰-𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲. 𝗜𝗳 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝟮:𝟯𝟬 𝗔𝗠, 𝘄𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺.
As nightlife grows, we hope public safety grows with it. We would like to see stronger police visibility during late-night hours, especially in areas where there is more activity. Dako pud nga tabang sa establishments and sa public if kabalo ta nga naa’y visible presence and accessible assistance when something happens that private security can no longer reasonably handle.
And we want to be clear about where we stand: 𝘄𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴-𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱.
𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁! 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝘁. This doesn’t mean gusto namo nga walay rules ang nightlife. It doesn’t mean establishments should operate without accountability.
We support reasonable safety standards, responsible alcohol service, proper security, and enforcement of laws that protect customers and the wider community.
Ang among pangutana lang is whether requiring every nightlife establishment in Mati to stop operating at the same hour actually solves concerns about peace and order.
For us, these concerns are better addressed through responsible operations, proper security, enforcement of existing laws, cooperation between businesses and authorities, and a visible public-safety presence during the hours when nightlife is active.
𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗺𝗶𝗚𝗼𝗲𝘀.
A healthy nighttime economy creates opportunities for local DJs and performers, provides work for people in hospitality, and supports food businesses, transportation, suppliers, events, and other establishments.
Known na ang Mati for our beaches and natural attractions. We have events that bring people here and bring our community together. We believe our restaurants, cafés, bars, music, and nightlife can also become part of that experience.
Kung naa tay tourists and visitors diri, we want them to enjoy Mati during the day, but we also want them to have reasons to stay and experience the city after dark.
As an establishment, kabalo mi nga naa pud mi responsibility ana. We are prepared to be accountable for the way we operate, work with authorities, improve our security when necessary, and do what we can to keep our guests and the surrounding community safe.
𝗪𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆, particularly when it comes to maintaining peace and order during late-night hours.
Municipal Ordinance No. 77 was enacted twenty-four years ago. Daghan na ang nausab sa Mati since then, and we believe it is fair to ask whether restricting the operating hours of every nightlife establishment is still the right approach today.
𝗪𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿. 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗶 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵.
We share this with respect for the City and for everyone working to keep Mati safe. Wala mi naga-expect nga tanan mag-agree sa among position, and that’s okay. We simply hope that our perspective, together with those of others who are part of the nighttime economy, can be heard with an open mind.
Open mi sa conversation. We would genuinely like to hear from the City, fellow establishments, people working in the nightlife and hospitality industry, our customers, residents, and anyone who wants to see Mati continue to grow.
At the end of the day, pareho ra man siguro atong gusto: 𝗮 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗶, 𝗮 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗶, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄.
AmiGoes
Mati’s nightlife experience.
