Pe proposes special permit fee for late evening derby

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council’s committee on laws, ordinance and public accountability is reviewing a proposed legislative measure that seeks to impose fees for cockfights held late in the evening.

Councilor Augustus “Jun” Pe, Jr., chairman of the Cebu City Game Fowl Commission, seeks to amend Section 3 of City Ordinance 1447 otherwise known as “The Ordinance Regulating the Operation of Cockpits in the City of Cebu.”

Under City Ordinance 1447, holding of cockfights from Monday to Sunday is allowed provided that on weekdays it shall not go beyond 10:00 in the evening.

However, Pe proposed that a special permit shall be granted to cockfights beyond 10:00 p.m. provided that a payment of P5,000 shall be imposed.

Under Pe’s proposed amendment, a special permit shall be secured first from the Cebu City Game Fowl Commission 15 days before the holding of such event with the concurrence of the barangay and payment of the required fee before the holding of the cockfight.

Pe said there is no amount of fee specified and imposed upon the issuance of a special permit under the existing ordinance.

Pe said that it is imperative for the city government to collect P5,000 that will constitute as a special permit fee to further regulate the operations of cockpit in the city.

Pe said the amount should be paid by the operators at the City Treasurer’s Office before a special permit will be issued by the city. (FREEMAN)