THE Bacolod City Council amended City Ordinance No. 244, which strengthens regulations on special cockfighting, or Pabulang, held for charitable purposes.
The ordinance, authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito, chairperson of the City Council committee on ways and means, was approved on third and final reading last week.
It was co-authored by Councilor Dindo Ramos, one of the authors of the original ordinance.
Distrito said the new measure introduces two significant changes aimed at increasing community benefits from cockfighting events.
He said the first amendment fixes the amount of financial assistance to be given to accredited charitable institutions at a minimum of P5,000 per derby day, regardless of the type or number of entries.
“This ensures a more consistent and meaningful contribution to beneficiaries such as day care centers, non-governmental organizations, and people’s organizations,” he added.
Distrito said the second amendment grants barangays the option to hold special cockfights either during their Barangay Day or Charter Day, aside from their Fiesta Day, recognizing the cultural roots of cockfighting and its role as a traditional means of raising funds for community programs.
He said the period for Pabulang remains within two weeks of the fiesta, barangay, or charter day. Also, barangays can still only conduct Pabulang twice a year.
“This amendment ensures that our ordinances keep pace with present realities. By fixing the assistance at P5,000 per day, we guarantee a more meaningful contribution to charitable causes, while also giving our barangays the opportunity to raise funds for their own programs during their special celebrations,” he added.
The ordinance also reiterates strict monitoring of contributions by the City’s Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) to ensure that all funds are used solely for their intended purposes, such as educational materials, day care center improvements, and capability-building for day care workers.
Distrito disclosed that the amendatory ordinance will take effect immediately after the approval of Mayor Greg Gasataya. (MAP)