Friday, July 13, 2007 Mayor junks plan to operate ‘bingo sa barangay’ By Jane Cadalig
LA TRINIDAD Mayor Artemio Galwan on Thursday disagreed with the intention of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) to operate a “bingo sa barangay” in the town.
Galwan said he is not sold to the idea of allowing the operation of the “bingo sa barangay” in La Trinidad, adding this would only encourage the public to engage in an activity that would deprive families of their productive hours.
"It (‘bingo sa barangay’) is practically gambling. Why engage in questionable forms of fund-raising activities when we can raise money through other legitimate means?" Galwan said.
The mayor said he does not want to create a worry among his constituents by allowing activities that have raised concerns in areas these were initially operated like Baguio City.
"It has raised concerns in Baguio, so why do we transfer the headache here? I will not welcome the ‘bingo sa barangay’ in the municipality," Galwan told reporters.
Barangay officials of La Trinidad earlier manifested their intention to allow the operation of the “bingo sa barangay” here.
The move is being pursued to raise revenues to fund various programs and projects in the barangays.
Councilor Charles Canuto, in an earlier interview, said the ABC is negotiating with the city for the forging of an agreement with regard the conduct of “bingo sa barangay” in the municipality.
"We could not yet operate the bingo raffle sa barangay without negotiating with Baguio City, which is the holder of the copyright (for bingo operations)," Canuto said.
Last year, the barangay chiefs passed a resolution manifesting their willingness for the conduct of these games in La Trinidad.
If pursued, proceeds from the operations of the “bingo sa barangay” would be used to fund the barangays' peace and order programs, solid waste management facilities, disaster and rescue operation equipment and support to daycare centers.
"We have to raise funds because some barangays are having problems on financing their programs. The operation of the bingo ‘raffle sa barangay’ would help augment their budget to implement their respective development programs," Canuto, president of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC), told reporters.
In Baguio City, the ABC was able to purchase a bus worth P1.5 million and five mini-dump trucks worth P175,000 each from the proceeds of the “bingo raffle sa barangay.”
The city ABC holds the copyright for this fund-raising activity.
(July 13, 2007 issue) Write letter to the editor. Click here. Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here.
