THE operation of the New Matina Gallera in Davao City, which became the “ground zero” of the Covid-19 transmission in Mindanao in 2020, resumed its face-to-face (F2F) cockfighting derby nearly after three years since it was suspended.
In various social media posts on Sunday morning, January 8 cockfighters were seen lining outside the Matina Gallera. Police personnel were also seen facilitating the venue.
Business Bureau head Maribel Paguican confirmed to SunStar Davao in a text message that the city government granted a permit for the operation of the cock derby.
Paguican said that Matina Gallera is currently the only derby that has an existing permit to operate.
Other derby venues had also intended to apply, but they have not yet complied with the requirements of the city government including building and fire clearance permits.
“Si Matina Gallera pa lang ang naay permit. To follow pa ang uban. Last year pa naa na ang clearance provided na ma-comply ang ginapangayo sa city. Wala man naapas last year pa (As of now, only Matina Gallera has permit. Others have yet to comply with the requirements. One of them had already a clearance provided they will comply with the city’s requirement. However, they were not able to submit their requirements on time last year),” the official said.
Councilor Bernie Al-ag, in a radio interview on Friday, January 6, said that the 20th City Council approved the resumption of the physical cock derby in December 2022.
However, Al-ag said the city imposed more than 50-percent tax hike on their operations.
“Gusto nato na maka-contribute siya sa taxes sa Davao kay gamiton pud nato isip mga proyekto ug serbisyo sa katawhan sa syudad (We wanted that these derbies contribute in Davao City’s taxes, which will be used for the city’s project and social services),” he said in an interview on DXGM Super Radyo Davao.
Al-ag said derby organizers can now start applying for their business permits, provided they will comply with the city’s requirements.
This is the first major derby event in the city in three years since it was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Notably, the Matina Gallera became the “ground zero” of the Covid-19 transmission in Mindanao in 2020.
When the face-to-face sabong was prohibited, cockfighters shifted to e-sabong.
However, former President Rodrigo Duterte ordered its suspension following the disappearance of 34 cockfighting enthusiasts who allegedly remain missing to this day.
Duterte also cited reports he had received from the Department of the Interior and Local Government about e-sabong working against Filipino values and negatively impacting families.
He said some bettors were no longer sleeping because e-sabong was available 24 hours a day.
Before the year ended, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos also issued an executive order directing the continued suspension of e-sabong operations nationwide. RGL