Aklan biz group vs STL

KALIBO, Aklan – A business group is against the operation of Small Town Lottery (STL) in the province.

“The STL, unlike other forms of gambling, is peculiarly pervasive, i ntrusive and ineffective,” said Jose Mari Aldecoa, Board member of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Aklan chapter.

Aldecoa attended t he Sangguniang Panlalawigan hearing on STL operation on Tuesday.

Even House S peaker Pantaleon Alvarez opposes STL operations in the countryside, the business group member told the Provincial Board.

I n STL, “bettors are approached by agents in their homes, workplaces, and even inside school campuses where security controls are weak,” said Aldecoa, also a former PCCI- Aklan chapter president.

This allows the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office ( PCSO)- sanctioned numbers game to “greatly [ enhance] its capacity to starve the local economy of its lifeblood and its currency in circulation,” Aldecoa said.

The PCCI-Aklan also called on various organizations to strongly oppose STL.

The PCSO has authorized YetBo Gaming Philippines Corp. to operate STL in the province.

YetBo Gaming holds office on N. Roldan Street, Barangay Poblacion.

Earlier the Diocese of Kalibo expressed opposition to STL.

Bishop Jose Corazon Tala- oc said the government should stop the “culture of gambling” instead of just regulating and promoting it through small-time lotteries.

“It is creating a culture of gambling that is seriously eroding the moral values of our people,” said Tala-oc.

“Let’s continue to pray to remain steadfast in our vow to protect our morality and spirituality,” he said. “Gambling imperils our lives and the lives of our families and communities, especially our poor brothers and sisters.” (