La Trinidad, Benguet -- Mayor Romeo Salda said the practice by village chiefs in allowing all forms of gambling during fiesta season must be stopped.
Salda said it is in the authority and jurisdiction of village leaders to approve or disapprove legal and illegal gambling activities usually set in this season of village fiestas.
The town’s chief executive countered allegations by village leaders blaming the local government for the proliferation of village gambling activities during fiestas.
Salda said approval of this is solely up to the village and will only be forwarded to the local council or the mayor’s office.
The mayor said a meeting with valley top cop Senior Inspector Benson Macli-ing with instructions not to allow illegal gambling may soon push through.
Salda said during village festivities, gambling joints are set up, transferring to different areas every time there is an occasion.
While the mayor admits there is no more gambling in Puguis because the fiesta has ended while Betag, Shilan and Bahong are now up for fiesta season.
Gambling hotspots in the valley include Pico and Buyagan.
Former Mayor Edna Tabanda declared an all-out war against illegal gambling in the valley ordering to stop, even drop ball paraphernalia during wakes where the games were set up apparently to give extra money to the bereaved.
Tabanda prohibited gambling during funerals saying the wake, becomes transformed into a gambling hub where people converge, losing the essence of giving comfort to the bereaved and respect to the departed. (Maria Elena Catajan)