Palace asked anew: Allow cockfighting

CEBU, Philippines —  AkoBisaya Partylist Representative Sonny Lagon has asked Malacañang for the second time to allow cockfighting to operate in general quarantine areas in the country, subject to applicable health and safety protocols.

“We respectfully submit that it is now safe to resume cockfighting in general quarantine area and the stakeholders are ready to implement the necessary measures to ensure that our patrons are safe and protected while inside cockfighting venues,” said Lagon in his letter that the Office of the President received last October 6.

Lagon said that with the rate of infection declining, more industries are gradually reopening including the cockfighting industry and other stakeholders. He appealed that they be allowed to start rebuilding their farms and businesses for the sake of the millions who are directly and indirectly dependent on the industry for their livelihood.

“With your kind approval under a regulated resumption, the industry can contribute significantly in rebuilding the nation with much-needed revenues in terms of tax contributions to the national and local governments,” the letter read.

Lagon, in his first letter last month, said that the feed industry already lost P30 billion while the veterinary products sector lost about P15 billion.

Lagon said 14,000 poultry supply stores nationwide and around 60,000 breeders, as well the 30,000 backyard breeders, also suffered from the pandemic due to the significant drop in its sales.

He added that thousands of employees went jobless with the closure of over 3,000 cockpits nationwide including cockpit vendors, farmhands and employees of companies engaged in the manufacture and sale of feeds, veterinary supplies, farm equipment and others which comprise the industry’s supply chain. — GAN (FREEMAN)