BACOLOD City – Negrenses must exercise vigilance on the use of the numbers game for illegal purposes, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said.
Lacson yesterday welcomed the resumption the Small Town Lottery (STL) operations in the province but he called on for vigilance.
“We have to be vigilant against the illegal use of STL. Definitely, I think that it’s good that we have lotto back, STL is back. This will again help the coffers of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO),” the governor said.
In a letter dated August 30, PCSO general manager and vice chairperson Royina Garma informed Jexter Mercado, president of Super Lucky Beagler Inc. (SLBI) about the approval of the President on the resumption of STL operations on Sept. 1.
SLBI is the only authorized agent of PCSO to operate the STL in the province with its drawing centers in Silay City, Negros Occidental.
After President Rodrigo Duterte ordered on July 26 the closure of all outlets of gaming schemes under the PCSO due to massive corruption, Lacson met with PCSO-Negros Occidental acting branch manager Jose Manuel Villagracia to discuss the effects of the President’s order.
“So many Negrenses are depending on the assistance from the PCSO,” the governor noted.
Meanwhile, Provincial Board member Andrew Montelibano said he will summon SLBI to find out it properly implementing rules and regulations set by the PCSO.
One of the conditions set for the STL to resume was the payment of a cash bond equivalent to three months of PCSO’s share in the agents’ guaranteed minimum monthly retail receipts (GMMRR).
Operators who will fail to comply with the new conditions will have their STL franchises terminated and offered to other interested parties.
PCSO general manager and vice chairperson Royina Garma informed Jexter Mercado, president of SLBI through a letter dated Aug. 30 about the approval of the President on the resumption of STL operations on Sept. 1.
Earlier, PCSO-Bacolod branch manager Jose Manuel Villagracia, revealed, following the earlier suspension of small town lottery operations nationwide, losses last month totaled P120 million.
STL operations across the country were halted last month by President Rodrigo Duterte following allegations of corruption within the PCSO. (With PNA/PN)
