SP mulls to regulate issuance of cockfighting permit
BACOLOD CITY -- Sangguniang Panlungsod Member Dindo Ramos, chair of the Committee on Laws, Ordinances and Good Government, proposed recently for first reading an Ordinance amending Section 9A, 12 and 13 of City Ordinance No. 244 Series of 2000 which amended City Ordinance 87, series of 1993, otherwise known as “An Ordinance promulgating the rules/regulations and providing for fees in the licensing, construction, establishment, operation and maintenance of cockpits and cockfighting in the city of Bacolod and prescribing the penalties for its violation thereof.”
City Ordinance No. 244 which amended City Ordinance No. 87, Series of 1993, allows issuance of special permits for special cockfights of the Sangguniang Panglungsod. Ramos said that the existing ordinance does not authorize the Sangguniang Panglungsod to issue special permits for cockfighting during barangay fiesta or charter day celebrations despite the apparent need for the same as it is one of the sources of fund-raising for every barangay and a long-time tradition for Filipinos during special occasion.
Ramos said that under the amendments which he proposes, it is now incumbent for every barangay to secure a special permit for holding a cockfighting activity even in barangay fiesta. In the proposed amendment Ramos said the City Council should issue a Resolution for a special permit and this permit should not exceed three (3) days for every occasion whether in succession or in separate days provided it will not be longer than three (3) weeks.
The amendment also allows special cockfighting permit for the entertainment of foreign dignitaries or for tourists and for returning Filipino Communities or balikbayans. Ramos further said that the amendment also covers fund-raising campaign for charitable purposes as may be authorized by the Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines or for the support of the fund-raising for charitable institutions or foundations are duly accredited by the City of Bacolod as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) or People’s Organization or are institutions subsidized by the City of Bacolod. Ramos intends to regulate cockfighting permit during the celebration of the Panaad Festival provided that the application should be forwarded to the Office of the Governor for approval.