BACOLOD City – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) has urged the Philippine National Police (PNP), through Mayor Greg Gasataya, to intensify operations against illegal gambling, particularly the unauthorized operation of the small town lottery (STL) in the city.
The resolution, authored by Councilor Dindo Ramos and approved during the SP’s regular session on Wednesday, August 20, cited that illegal gambling persists in various areas despite existing laws prohibiting such activities.
Ramos said STL is being operated publicly in the city with bets being collected, yet no revenues are being remitted to the local government since no business permit has been issued to the operator.
“The illegal operation of STL and other forms of gambling activities not sanctioned by law have been observed to proliferate, posing social, moral, and economic risks to the community,” Ramos stressed.
He pointed out that under the Local Government Code, the city government is tasked to maintain peace and order and support measures that ensure public safety and welfare, while the PNP is mandated to enforce laws and conduct operations against illegal activities, including gambling.
It was also learned that bettors continue to collect wagers in Bacolod even though the operator has not secured a Resolution of No Objection (RONO) from the SP.
Councilor Al Victor Espino, who supported the resolution, said that to his knowledge, the SP has never issued a RONO for STL operations within the city, even if operators claim to have a franchise from Negros Occidental.
He explained that such a franchise does not apply in Bacolod due to the political demarcation between the province and the highly urbanized city.
“We have also never received a request from the operator for the issuance of a RONO,” Espino added. “Gane ang ila operation sa Bacolod desbentaha sa gobyerno kay wala sila permit pero naga-profit sila sa Bacolod.”/PN
