Mayors want STL operations regulated
Local chief executives of different towns in Cebu have asked the help of the Cebu Provincial Board to regulate Small Town Lotto (STL) operation in their locality.
They expressed that the STLs have been sprouting like mushrooms even in places near schools, churches, and even next to police stations.
Some officers and members of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) - Cebu Chapter like Consolacion Mayor Teresa Alegado (LMPCebu Vice President for Internal Affairs), Dalaguete Mayor Ronald Allan Cesante (LMP-Cebu Vice President for External Affairs) Moalboal Mayor Inocentes Cabaron and Ronda Mayor Mariano Blanco attended the PB's regular session last Monday.
Central Visayas Manager Federico Damole of the Philippine Charity and Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and Director Senior Superintendent Edgar Alan Okubo of the Cebu Provincial Police Office(CPPO) were also present as they were invited by the PB.
Alegado stressed that the easiest way for local officials to monitor STL operators is through requiring a mayor's permit.
But Damole explained that under PCSO guidelines, operators are not obliged to secure a mayor's permit because STL operations are directly under the supervision of PCSO and not of local government units.
However, operators are "encouraged" to secure a mayor's permit but he emphasized that it is totally up to the operator.
To date, all 51 municipalities and cities have STL outlets. Damole said there is an average of five to ten outlets per municipality.
Cesante revealed that there are at least 30 visible STL outlets in Dalaguete town.
He raised a concern that some outlets are 20 meters away from schools, churches, and even the municipal hall.
Okubo admitted that he came across an STL branch just next to a police station but the PNP does not have the authority to interfere with the lottery operations.
Damole said PCSO requires that gaming operations should be at least 100 meters away from such buildings but he admitted that at present, PCSO -Central Visayas lacks the capacity to closely monitor their agents in the localities.
Another challenge, the mayors shared, is they cannot distinguish which ones are legally operating and which ones are not. Alegado said the mayor's permit will give the LGUs the authority to ensure that the accredited PCSO outlets are following the standards set by the government gaming agency.
STL operators are also mandated to give a certain percentage of their profit to the host LGU but some mayors said they have not received any share.
According to PCSO, congressional districts have 0.75 percent share, provincial government has 1 percent, the police has 2.5 percent share and the host local government units are entitled to 3 percent share.
The percentage will be based on the net income of the STL outlet. Net income pertains to the gross income minus the printing expenses.