Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Iloilo to get only one STL operator

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

ONLY one operator will be allowed to handle Small Town Lottery (STL) in Iloilo province, according to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.


The PCSO made the clarification two days before the Iloilo Sangguniang Panlalawigan deliberates on the intention of Around D’World Gaming Corp. (ADGC) to operate STL in the province.

Aside from ADGC, another firm has also sought concurrence from the Iloilo provincial government to operate STL in the province.

ADGC was incorporated and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on April 27, 2010.

Based on the PCSO website, ADGC has secured approval from the PCSO board on May 19, 2010 to operate STL in Iloilo province by virtue of Board Resolution No. 1490.

With the assumption of the Aquino administration, the PCSO, through Board Resolution No. A-00023, held in abeyance ADGC’s operations in Iloilo province pending evaluation and additional requirements by the board. The order is part of the inventory and examination of pending and newly approved applications under the new PCSO board of directors.

On April 27, 2010, the PCSO wrote ADGC requiring the corporation to submit additional requirements such as:

- League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Iloilo resolution endorsing ADGC operations or SangguniangPanlalawigan resolution endorsing ADGC to operate STL in Iloilo province;

- Certificate of No Objection to the Resolution from the Governor of the province of Iloilo.

The new requirements are meant to ensure smooth relationship between the local government units and the corporation that will operate STL.

The LMP had unanimously approved a resolution endorsing ADGC to operate STL in the province during its meeting in Hotel del Rio on September 3, 2010.

Another LMP meeting was held September 23, 2010 to discuss AGDC’s operations in the province which was unanimously approved again.

On September 28, 2010, the LMP released Board Resolution No. 004-2010 approving ADGC to operate PCSO-STL in Iloilo province.

On October 5, 2010, ADGC submitted its letter of intent to the office of Governor Arthur D. Defensor Sr.

The provincial board scheduled the first public hearing Friday, October 22, 2010 at the provincial capitol.

STL operations in Iloilo province has raised eyebrows following the numbers game’s failure to curb illegal gambling as initially intended by the national government.

Citing intelligence reports, police have claimed that STL has become a front for illegal gambling operators.

In a statement to The Daily Guardian, ADGC said it will be a source of additional income for local government units aside from providing employment.

ADGC said it will be an “able partner” of the national and local government in curbing illegal gambling and charity works even as it vowed transparency in its operations in Iloilo province.

The operator said it will observe full transparency in its operations, particularly in the remittance of the shares of the local police, local government unit and the national government.

On the issue of illegal gambling, “ADGC will extend full cooperation with authorities in minimizing, if not eliminate, unauthorized numbers games.”

“The corporation has adopted strategies, which will be explained in detail when operations begin, to achieve the said ends. As a responsible corporate citizen of Iloilo province, ADGC will spearhead social services such as free clinics in partnership with the provincial government, PCSO and civic groups,” the statement said.

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