By Councilor Jonathan Cabrera
We, as Local Government is mandated to deliver basic services and think of measures that will preserve and protect the general welfare of our constituents.
In reality, the budget of our LGU (185M for 2011) is only enough for the operation of the Municipality on personal services, capital outlay, maintenance and other operating expenses. Pero marami pang dapat paglaanan ng pundo to ensure the full delivery of basic social services to our constituents like: livelihood, medical, infra, equipments, etc.
Para mangyari to, kailangan naming mag isip ng mga pamamaraan para makalikom ng mas maraming local revenue at makipag ugnayan sa ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan who are potential in extending supports, aids and assistance for our community.
In Boracay, it’s the fact that gambling involving tourists is happening. Halimbawa may mga turista na nagcheck in sa isang hotel, nabagot na sa kaiikot sa isla kaya nagkasundo na maglaro sa loob ng kwarto. Nangyari ang gambling pero ang malungkot wala tayong kinita. It’s a loss of potential revenue.
We are persistent that PAGCOR should come to Boracay island. To regulate and curb the illegal gamblings here and at the same time extend their charity and community programs to our constituents. Maliban pa sa share na mapupunta sa LGU na ibibigay ng pagcor.
We are also fully cognizant of the fact that while Boracay remains to be a primary tourist destination, there are already other local and regional tourists destinations that likewise attract foreign tourists; hence, we believe that there is a need to encourage new activities and attractions in Boracay like legal forms of leisure and entertainment to enhance its appeal and attractiveness to foreign tourists and pull in tourist dollars, curb illegal gambling operations in Boracay and keep it ahead of its competition by allowing innovative measures such as “FOREIGN-PLAYERS-ONLY” Gaming Operations;
On the other hand, we are likewise cognizant of the sentiments of certain sectors in our community against the moral and social ills of gambling on the local community; hence, in order to address these concerns a committee hearing is set on March 17 at the SB session hall with PAGCOR representatives, church, business sector, and other interested parties.
We hope to agree on the following conditions that will be a win-win solution to all of us:
a. PAGCOR rules and regulations pertaining to Junket Operations shall be strictly observed;
b. A multi-sectoral monitoring body shall be constituted to see to it that rules and regulations are at all times observed and followed;
c. Whoever shall be the business partner of Pagcor in operating said gaming operations shall be involved in socio-civic activites this is apart from what the Municipality of Malay will receive as benefits from Pagcor under the law;
d. It is understood that such operations shall be experimental and that the number of areas where such operations shall be conducted should be limited according to viability and size of the market. The unregulated proliferation of gaming sites even if limited only to foreign players should not be allowed in order to maintain the image of Boracay as a wholesome tourist destination;
e. Pagcor is willing to adopt new measures and safeguards that may be suggested by the monitoring body from to time to time;
(Note: Hon. Jonathan Cabrera is the chairman of the committee on Good Government and a member of the committee on Tourism, games and amusement.)
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