THE Bacolod City Council approved Tuesday a resolution of no objection for the Small Town Lottery (STL) operation in the city as authored by Councilor Alex Paglomutan. Eight councilors were present during the voting, and two of them opposed, Councilors El Cid Familiaran and Sonya Verdeflor. Councilor Caesar Distrito voted for the resolution with colatilla. Others who voted in the affirmative along with Paglumotan were Councilors Em Ang, Roberto Rojas, Wilson Gamboa Jr., and Noli Villarosa. Distrito said, “we just put a colatilla to make sure that the share of the city will be subjected to fair and equitable distribution to those who need it. Just like what they are doing with the Pagcor (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.) funds, before they release it, it passes through the SP (for approval)." For her part, Verdeflor, who is opposing the STL operation, said, "we know the pattern of the people in the grassroots. Even with their last money, they will bet on any numbers game in exchange of their hope to get rich quickly.” “If we have STL outlets here, there will be more people who will be prone to betting their last money supposed to be used for their food and allowances. That is why I am against it," she added. Familiaran said “not all legal are moral,” and he is against any form of gambling. Jexter Mercado, president of Super Lucky Beagler Inc. (SLBI), requested the SP if they could be allowed to open STL branches in Bacolod. He sent a letter dated Aug. 11 to Paglumotan requesting for the approval of the resolution of no objection. At present, SLBI operates in several areas in Negros Occidental, being the sole authorized agent-corporation of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office for STL in the province. SLBI’s office address is at Montinola Bldg., Bonifacio St., Silay City. According to PCSO website, the STL charity fund sharing scheme allows revenues accruing to STL to be divided among the city or municipality, 10 percent; provincial government, 5 percent; congressional district, 2.5 percent; and Philippine National Police, 5 percent. The remaining 7.5 percent of the charity fund goes to PCSO. Church opposes However, the Diocese of Bacolod through Rev. Fr. Ernie Larida, director of the Social Action Center, expressed opposition to the STL operation in Bacolod. “It will only promote the culture of gambling which will lead to a culture of indolence to the people,” he said. Larida added: “Since the office of the City Council was still at the old City Hall in the downtown area, we were opposing STL operation in Bacolod City." Senior Superintendent Melchor Coronel, officer-in-charge of Bacolod City Police Office, said the police will apprehend operators of STL if they have no endorsement from the SP and mayor’s permit. By CARLA N. CANET
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