Due to lack of business permit: 27 STL booths seized

CEBU, Philippines — After its notices for them to secure business permits were allegedly ignored, the Cebu City Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) the other day confiscated the booths of 27 Small Town Lottery (STL) outlets.

The same fate awaits others that likewise failed to secure their business permits, as similar operations would be launched in the near future.

Terrence Saavedra, BPLO head, said they had reached out to the STL operators before the operation last Wednesday, but they received no response.

“Nihatag ta nila’g notice nga willing ta motabang nila nga mo-apply silay permit, but until now, wala gyud sila mo-apply og permit, wala mo-comply,” he said.

“Ang ilang gisaligan karon nga permit, kana ra mang sa PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) nga approval,” he added.

Saavedra said operators also need to comply with certain requirements from the city government.

“Ing-ani man gud ni, once man gud nga ma-engage ta ani nga negosyo, kaning gambling, naa tay ordinance ana nga mangkinahanglan gyud ug RONO (Resolution of No Objection) from the City Council. Ug ikaduha, letter of no objection gikan sa Mayor…. Kana gyung duha, magkuyog gyud na sila before matagaag business permit…So mao na ni ron ang epekto,” he said.

Without a business permit, Saavedra said, their operation becomes illegal.

He said the STL operators are given around 15 days to comply with the requirements so they could have their booths back and operate the business again.

“In the event nga dili sila mo-coordinate nato, we will continue our operation until such time nga, hopefully, mo-apply pud sila’g business permit,” Saavedra said.

So far, the Cebu City government, through the BPLO and City’s PROBE Team and the Cebu City Police Office, confiscated 27 STL stalls in barangays Parian, Kamagayan, Lorega San Miguel, and Kamputhaw.

PROBE-South’s Kevin Sanchez said that so far there had been no resistance from the STL operators when they took their booths.

“Atoa ning i-confiscate until such time nga maka-provide sila’g clearance coming from the BPLO of Cebu City nga cleared na sila, nakabayad na sila sa mga taxes and maka-provide sila sa license,” he said.

He said that they will continue the operations in the other barangays, including the mountain barangays, anytime soon, as they do believe there are more STL outlets that are illegally operating here.

“Daghan-daghan gyud…. Naa pa tay tuyokon. Also sa bukid, most probably naa gyud na,” Sanchez said. (CEBU NEWS)