BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The national government is earning P112 million a month in Negros Occidental through its Small Town Lottery operations in several towns and cities, according to Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office chairman Jose Jorge Corpuz.
Corpuz, during the distribution of P5.2 million STL and Philippine Lotto shares to several local government units of Negros Occidental, the Philippine National Police and to the government-managed Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital, said he expected the assistance will increase, with many applying to engage in STL operations.
Corpuz also increased the daily allocations of PCSO-Negros Occidental earmarked for indigent patients in the province from P200,000 to P700,000. Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. thanked the PCSO for increasing its funds for indigent patients in Negros Occidental.
The PCSO also gave the provincial government of Negros Oriental and some of its local government units their lotto shares amounting to P2.7 million, aside from the distribution of nine ambulances.
Marañon endorsed the STL operations in more towns and cities in Negros Occidental, where residents are patronizing illegal gambling, such as jai-alai. The concerned local government units should campaign for STL in their areas, instead of tolerating illegal gambling, he said.
Starting next year, Corpuz said an all-out war against illegal gambling will be carried out. But he said the expansion of STL will be the solution against illegal gambling.
He said the PCSO is now processing the applications of 224 corporations that are applying for STL operations nationwide, 79 of which were already approved as of this time. At present, Corpuz said 18 corporations are operating nationwide, including one in Negros Occidental.
Corpuz said illegal gambling operations will just fade away, if the people will support STL, and the Philippine National Police will stop it.
STL “bookies” have been reported to have taken advantage of the police massive anti-illegal drug campaign, by expanding operations of their illegal gambling activities in some areas of Negros Occidental. “Bookies” use the same numbers drawn by STL. Illegal bet collectors, referred to as “riders,” use ID cards of STL employees and collect bets that are not remitted to the government.
PNP Chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said earlier that they will shift their sights to eradicating illegal gambling in the country, by giving more life and energy to these operations.
Corpuz said the PNP and corporations operating the STL have been ordered by the President to stop illegal gambling in their areas.
The Police Regional Office-18 (Negros Island Region) received P2.1 million share of STL from PCSO, at a ceremony held at the Carmelite Monastery Function Hall at Barangay Mandalagan, Bacolod City. The CIDG has been added in the list of recipients by the PCSO.
Corpuz said that 30 percent of the PCSO income goes to charity, with 35 percent earmarked for prize funds and 15 percent for its maintenance operations. The more STL operations, the more funds for charity works, including medicines, ambulances and payments of hospital bills for the needy, he said. (FREEMAN)