Livelihood, income opportunities prompt Iloilo mayors to favor STL
The livelihood and income opportunities that can be derived from the operations of Small Town Lottery have convinced four Iloilo mayors to favor the entry of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office-sanctioned numbers game in Iloilo province.
The four mayors, three of whom were present in last week’s public hearing conducted by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, include Arcadio Gorriceta of Pavia, Suzette Mamon of Badiangan, and Nepthali Salcedo of Sara. Guimbal Mayor Christine Garin sent her representative.
The Provincial Board is conducting a series of hearings on the proposal of Around D’ World Gaming Corp. headed by its president Donald Leoy to operate STL in the province.
The Around D’ World Gaming Corp. has secured a franchise from the PCSO after the May 2010 elections and is now waiting for the endorsement of the Iloilo provincial government particularly from Office of the Governor. It has already secured an endorsement from the League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Iloilo Chapter.
PCSO in its website said that under the STL charity fund sharing scheme, revenues accruing to STL will be divided as follows: city or municipality, 10 percent; provincial government, 5 percent; congressional district, 2.5 percent; and Philippine National Police, 5 percent.
Gorriceta said he is in favor of the STL because of the livelihood that it could provide for his constituents and the 10 percent share the local government unit will get from its operations.
Mamon, while citing the same reasons, said that being the LMP-Iloilo Chapter secretary general, she is standing pat on the “Certificate of No Objection” their organization issued to Around D’ World Gaming Corp.
The certification, however, is not exclusive to the said operator, she said.
The LMP-Iloilo Chapter on Sept. 23, 2010 issued the certification before the first public hearing was conducted.
Salcedo, for his part, shared the reasons of his two colleagues, adding that it would be embarrassing for the LMP-Iloilo Chapter if they will not support its previous stand.
Atty. Raul Tiosayco, who represented Garin, said the LGU share from the STL could increase their budget for helping people in crisis situations and more people could avail of medication and burial assistance.
Iloilo Vice Gov. Oscar “Richard” Garin Jr. said after the second public hearing last week, the SP committee of the whole will meet and discuss when they will come up with a decision.*PNA
