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Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Lamtang cockpit faces closure
BENGUET Vice Governor Crescencio Pacalso said Tuesday one of the cockpit arenas in the province might soon be closed after it was found to be operating without the necessary permit.
Pacalso said it is but proper to issue a cease and desist order to the Lamtang Cockpit Arena for holding cockfight activities without first obtaining necessary documents from concerned offices. "We have to call the attention of the Philippine National Police (PNP) because the operation (of Lamtang) is illegal," he said.
The vice governor's statement came after representatives from the Provincial Treasurer's Office (PTO) disclosed that Lamtang has not been issued permit to conduct cockfights.
Board Member Johnny Uy initially requested the attendance of representatives from the Provincial Treasury Office (PTO) to explain why they are not collecting amusement taxes from the cockpit facility.
Imelda Macanes, PTO officer-in-charge, said Lamtang was not given a permit, hence their office has no basis in collecting taxes whenever cock derbies are conducted there.
Uy said the Provincial Government collected taxes from Shilan Cockpit Arena last year even if the facility has no permit then. He said there is discrepancy in the collection of financial obligations from the two facilities.
Macanes explained that Shilan's case was different because the Municipal Government of La Trinidad had been issuing special permits to the operators of the cockpit arena.
Last year, concerned sectors questioned the operation of two cockpits in La Trinidad. Due to this, the Municipal Government decided to issue a franchise to Shilan after it reportedly complied with the requirements needed for a cockpit arena.
Lamtang was reported to have failed in completing the documents needed and as such, was not granted any permit.
Uy, meanwhile, maintained that operators of Lamtang should still be asked to settle their obligations. "We are rewarding them by not collecting taxes, when in fact the operators (of the cockpit facility) insulted our representatives last year," he said.
Pacalso however said the proper move would be to order a stop to the operation of Lamtang because it has no permit. (JC)
(March 15, 2006 issue)
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