By Mae Singuay

The Bacolod City government will stop the issuance of “special permits” for cockfighting after Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez noticed there were lots of applications to hold such activities.

“As of now, wala kami nagahatag special permit para sa mga gaming activities, including cockfighting [lusok],” Benitez said.

“Kun may regular nga cockpit [nga] ginpatindog, I think naglapaw na gani kita. Ara na ‘ta sa maximum nga makabutang sang cockpit sa aton,” he added.

However, Councilor Al Victor Espino, Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) chair of the committee on laws, ordinances and good government, said he will defend the ordinance that allows cockfight activities in barangays.

He said the SP has approved cockfighting activities in the villages for only three conditions: during fiesta, barangay charter day, or tourism purposes.

On his part, Benitez said if there is an existing ordinance that allows cockfighting, he will ask the SP for a moratorium for review.

He said he will strictly scrutinize all the applications for special permits./MS, WDJ