2 solons to IATF: Allow cockfighting to resume

CEBU, Philippines —  The House Committee on Games and Amusements has joined the Federation of Gamefowl Breeders Association in its appeal to consider the gradual resumption of cockfighting events, subject to necessary health and safety protocols.

The committee, through Representatives Joseph Sto. Niño Bernos of Abra and Sonny Lagon of Ako Bisaya Partylist, chairman and vice chairman, respectively, has conveyed the appeal to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

Bernos and Lagon emphasized that the gamefowl industry has been a steady source of government revenues.

However, following suspension of local and international cockfighting events due to the COVID-19 threat, they said 1,210 cockpits nationwide have closed down.

“Bearing the brunt mostly are the cockpit employees and workhands and their families who rely solely on the industry for their livelihood. They are now among the millions of Filipinos who rely on government assistance to survive this crisis,” they said in a letter addressed to IATF-EID.

Reports have it that the P30-billion feeds industry has suffered a sales drop of around 50 percent, while the veterinary products sector has also suffered a loss of around P15 billion.

Around 14,000 poultry supply stores nationwide are also severely affected, while 30,000 breeders nationwide have suffered significant dip in sales.

The industry reportedly produces three million heads annually but with the prevailing suspension of cockfighting events, sales have significantly dropped and so are the prices of gamefowl due to much lower demand leading to oversupply.

The committee explained that these associations and individuals, despite being in the informal sector of the economy, are the same people who are helping the gamefowl industry and other allied industries to bring significant revenues to the government’s coffers.

“Thus, in recognition of their contributions and in order to keep their livelihoods afloat, we come now to respectfully request your kind indulgence and guidance to allow the resumption of cockfighting activities on a limited scale,” read their letter.

The committee assured that the industry’s stakeholders shall faithfully abide by the IATF parameters and protocols to ensure that the resumption will not adversely affect the collective efforts to fight COVID-19. — GAN (FREEMAN)