Sunday, January 07, 2007 52 village chiefs want STL in Bacolod
DESPITE the strong opposition of Bishop Vicente Navarra against the operation of small town lottery (STL) in the province, 52 of the 61 village chiefs in Bacolod City braved to express their intention favoring the entry of STL in the city.
In the resolution of Liga ng Mga Barangay (LMB)-Bacolod Chapter, these village chiefs urged the City Government to allow the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to operate STL in 61 barangays in Bacolod.
The resolution was submitted on November 14, 2006 and is still subject to the approval of Mayor Evelio Leonardia.
The LMB stressed that STL is "above all legal and that the local government unit (LGU) receives share based on the percentage where STL operates. And, these are used for social projects that can be redound to the greater benefit of the constituents in the barangay."
"And since the start of STL operation in the province, the resurgence of its counterpart in the city has also been proliferating in the barangays. And that these illegal operations use the daily results of the STL as basis for their winning number combination," the resolution said.
The City Council, however, deferred any argumentation on the matter for further study and public hearing.
But initially, at least two councilors aired their support to allow STL to operate in the city.
Councilors Al Victor Espino and Jude Thaddeus Sayson said they are in favor of STL.
Councilor Homer Bais, on the other hand, is against the proposal.
In the province, although STL operation is still ongoing in Silay City, the Provincial Board stood pat to its approved resolution in October 1998 that bans and declares STL operation as illegal in Negros.
On October 16, 1991, another resolution opposing the resumption of STL in the province was passed.
Meanwhile, some of the village chiefs remain to be against STL operations. (RLB)
