ILOILO City – The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) suspended cockfighting operations across Western Visayas.
Over the weekend, DILG Region 6 director Juan Jovian Ingeniero informed all local chief executives about the suspension “in view of the rising daily cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country.”
The policy took effect immediately and would last until April 4, 2021.
When the suspension is lifted, Ingeniero said, the public should follow the Inter-Agency Task Force’s (IATF) guidance in Resolution No. 79 on the resumption of cockpit operations, such as the following:
* strict observance of health and safety protocols
* no in-person, audience, online or remote betting, and live broadcast/telecasting of cockfighting
* the municipalities/cities pursuant to their powers shall have the final decision on whether the operation of licensed cockpits and the conduct of cockfighting activities can proceed in their respective localities
All DILG provincial and city directors, including Municipal Local Government Operations Officers were told to monitor and report the status of the directive, in close coordination with concerned local chief executives.
Meanwhile, DILG regional legal officer Atty. Cedric Jaranilla said the suspension aims to stem the spread of COVID-19, “kay medyo nag-lax siguro ang tawo due sa economic activities naton.”
Corresponding penalties also await violators, he added.
“Possible nga ma-file-lan sila sang kaso violation sang aton quarantine protocols, and automatic sa guidelines nga ipasira naton,” Jaranilla told Panay News.
More so, he said, it is the mayor’s obligation to strictly enforce the order, “and gina-mandoan man ang aton PNP (Philippine National Police) nga mag-assist.”
ILOILO PROVINCE NODS
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said the provincial government would comply with the directive.
In fact, the order had been cascaded already to Iloilo’s 42 municipalities and one component city, he told Panay News./PN
