Cockpit operators appeal to Duterte

CEBU, Philippines — Citing billions of pesos in losses and the thousands of employment affected, a group of cockpit operators in Cebu has asked President Rodrigo Duterte to lift the prohibition on the holding of cockfighting and operation of cockpits in the country.

At least 23 cockpit operators from the different towns and component cities of Cebu Province have signed the resolution appealing to the president.

According to them, the stoppage of cockfighting activities affected the employment of thousands of breeders, farmhands, poultry supply and agri-vet company employees. It has also deprived thousands of sentenciadors, gaffers, bet-takers, cock doctors, and cockpit vendors the opportunity to make a living for their families.

They claimed that around 30,000 breeders nationwide, 40 million gamefowls, and 14,000 poultry supply stores suffered at least 50 percent revenue losses or an estimated P15 billion since the suspension of cockfighting and cockpit operations due to the coronavirus disease pandemic.

The amount is on top of the estimated P3 billion losses for veterinary products, vitamins, and vaccines.

The operators vowed to adhere to strict health protocols and safety measures set by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) once the prohibition is lifted. They said allowing their industry to operate will not only help them recover their losses but the country’s economy as well.

Cebu Province is currently under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ). Under the guidelines, cockpits are not allowed to open and cockfighting remains prohibited.

Meanwhile, the Cebu Provincial Board has deferred action on the proposed resolution allowing the operation of cockpits and cockfighting activities in the province.

The provincial legislative body agreed after a brief deliberation on Monday to wait for the decision of the IATF on the matter before acting on the resolution sponsored by PB Member John Ismael Borgonia.

It was PB Member Raul Bacaltos who moved to defer action on the resolution until the IATF decides.

“Kung i-allow na sa IATF, diha na ta mag decision because ang IATF ang mo decide ani under MGCQ nga gitugutan ba gyud,” said Bacaltos.

Borgonia sought the reopening of cockpits and allow cockfighting activities citing the need to reopen the game for livelihood, culture, and income of industries, as well as the barangays and local government units (LGUs).

Borgonia said that the reopening of cockpits is still subject to strict health protocols such as only 50 percent capacity will be allowed and wearing of masks and face shields.

“You know we have learned to live with Covid, we have learned to adopt the health protocols, we have learned to boost our immune system. In fact, there is a dynamic change of policy so basin pa ang IATF itugot na ang cockfighting,” Borgonia said.

However, Board Member Christopher Balicuatro disagreed, stressing that it is unlikely for onlookers and breeders to wear masks as they shout “pula or puti” during the cockfight. Board Member Glenn Anthony Soco also questioned the timeliness of Borgonia’s resolution considering that there are other pressing concerns that need to be addressed.

He said, if going to cemeteries on All Souls’ Day and All Saints’ Day is disallowed, there is also no reason to allow cockfighting. — FPL (FREEMAN)