ILOILO – While cockfighting is still banned, cockpit operators in the province should already start preparing guidelines for their operation under the new normal, said Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
Defensor met with cockpit operators on June 12. He received an advisory from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) that cockfighting is prohibited – until the ban is lifted by President Rodrigo Duterte, the department, or the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
Cockfighting is a huge business in the province. Almost all towns have cockpits.
“We have no option but to wait for the guidance from the national government,” said Defensor.
But he advised the cockpit operators to draft guidelines as early as now which “we can use when we appeal in the future.”
The advisory signed by Interior secretary Eduardo Año stated that “only gatherings that are essential for the provision of essential government services or authorized humanitarian activities shall be allowed for areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), and general community quarantine (GCQ).”
On the other hand, areas under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) may allow gatherings of not more than 50 percent of the capacity of the venue or seating arrangement to maintain stringent social distancing measures and other health safety protocols.
Aside from the ban on cockfighting, the DILG advised local government units to “ensure that all gatherings follow the protocols as stated, depending on the level of community quarantine in the area where such gathering is conducted.”
It also directed them to “have adequate policy support in the form of ordinances, and that just, and reasonable penalties shall be imposed on violators without exemption.” (PNA/PN)
