DAVAO City Council may suspend permits for cockfighting in the city at any time if it will incur negative impacts affecting Dabawenyos.
“Dapat nag-operate ang sabong for the benefit of Davao. Mohatag og taxes, mohatag og economy, modaghan atong turista (The cockfighting should give us benefit, they should give us taxes and help us with the economy),” Davao City Councilor Bernie Al-ag said in an interview on Davao City Disaster Radio on January 10, 2023.
On January 8, New Matina Gallera in Davao City resumed its operation three years after its suspension due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The resumption of the operation was approved by the Davao City council in December 2022.
“In fact during sa first discussion, nagsulti ko, pila ba ang expected revenue sa government nga atong makuha kada tuig. Ana ang taga-City Treasurer and City Economic Enterprise na with this new city ordinance, naga-project sila og P25 million to P30 million a year (During the first discussion, I already asked the proponents how much the expected revenue of the government is if the ordinance will be approved. The City Treasurer and the City Economic Enterprise said they projected roughly P25 to P30 million per year),” he said.
He added that he also questioned if the projected amount of revenue is worth the impact on the society that promotes gambling.
“Unsa ba negative nga epekto ani? Dugay manguli ang mga bana, katong naay sweldo imbes ipalit bugas sa pamilya, isugal sa una (What are the negative impacts? Husbands will go home late, there are some that instead of buying rice for their family they will gamble it first in cockfighting),” Al-ag said.
However, it was justified by the proponent of the ordinance that it also has other positive impacts on the economy of the city.
“Daghan mga derbies mangadto diri kay mo-check-in og hotels, mokaon sa mga restaurant, mag-shopping (There are a lot who attend the derbies in the city and will check-in at hotels, dine at restaurants, and go shopping),” he said.
Al-ag said cockfighting was considered an economic stimulant.
“Mas mokusog ang ekonomiya ug atoang turismo pud sa Davao City (We can see that the economy will grow more and even the tourism of Davao City),” he said.
But Al-ag said if the negative impacts are visible he will not hesitate to go against the ordinance.
“Pero, kung magkaroon ta og problema, ako mismo, ang motindog sa konseho nga undangon ning sabong (But, if this will give us a problem in the long run, I will proposed to the council to stop this cockfighting),” he said.
Meanwhile, Al-ag said Dabawenyos may report any negative impacts of cockfighting by sending a message to his Facebook page or may send a letter of disapproval to the council so that it will be discussed with the members of the council. KSD