CEBU, Philippines - The municipality of Daanbantayan is reportedly hesitant to renew the franchise of the existing cockpit operator in the town because the cockpit allegedly fails to meet the standards set by the Philippine Gamefowl Commission, as adopted by the local gamefowl commission.
Vice Mayor Maria Luisa Loot said the current franchise holder, Socorro Pereña, reportedly failed to comply with, among others, the requirements of the building code. Pereña’s cockpit was established sometime in the 1970s.
But Loot said Pereña would still be given priority to bid for a modern cockpit, however, if she chooses not to invest, the bidding would be opened to other investors who are willing to put up at least P8 million for a modern cockpit.
Loot emphasized her family would be excluded from the bidding, considering that they also own a cockpit in Mandaue City. The Loot-owned cockpit in Mandaue City is reportedly worth P30 million.
Loot and her son, Mayor Sun Shimura, both agree that it is about time the municipality has a modern cockpit, considering that it is now a first class municipality and a tourist destination.
Loot said a modern cockpit could attract both local and foreign tourists.
She said if the barangays in the town are willing, the modern cockpit can even be a corporation wherein barangays could put up a share.
Loot assured prospective investors of protection from illegal cockfight such as tigbakay. She said an ordinance would soon be passed to officially declare tigbakay illegal in the town. — Gregg M. Rubio/JMO (THE FREEMAN)