The city government of Davao has allowed the resumption of gamefowl activities or more popularly known as ‘sabong’ in Davao City but reminded that operators have to secure permits.
“Sabong has always been a part of Filipino culture. It is a practice regulated by the government and we expect to earn revenues from it. Now that it is back, there will be stricter measures to monitor its operations,” Vice Mayor J. Melchor Quitain Jr. said in a text message.
Quitain also cited the amendments that were passed last year that enable the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) to monitor or collect the right amount of taxes or fees from the sabong operators.
“May amendments na (pinasa) last year so that the city treasurer will be able to monitor or collect the right amount of taxes or fees. Very technical in the sense sa monitoring/collection ng mga taxes/fees. What I know is the one operating now has a permit already,” he said.
On January 8, 2023, the New Davao Matina Gallera resumed operations two years after it was ordered temporarily closed by former Mayor Sara Duterte.
The reopening was announced on the New Davao Matina Gallera Facebook Page.
The page shared photos of the long queue of bettors and audience waiting outside the said arena. There are also photos showing inside the arena which was almost full of spectators.
It also posted an apology to those who queued up long during the first day.
“Pasensya kaayo sa mga nagpila ug taas. First day pa ta nag open ug nabagohan pa sa systema sa online system sa gate. Paningkamutan namo sa sunod na mapaspas na ato pagsulod sa entrance gate para hapsay na ato pag sulod sa gate. Hinaot unta masabtan ninyo. Daghan salamat sa tanan,” it said.
It can be recalled that the “Araw ng Davao celebration six-cock derby” held at the New Davao Matina Gallera here in 2020 was tagged as the “ground zero” of Covid-19 in Davao City.
The said cockpit arena was temporarily closed due to Covid-19 by the order of Duterte.
Duterte also issued Executive No. 20 series of 2020 or “an order providing for additional guidelines in the implementation of community quarantine on March 2020” wherein guideline No. 12 of Section 1 states that backyard cockfighting/sabong shall be prosecuted under pertinent laws and regulations.
In 2021, the former mayor also backed the city councilors’ recommendation to allow the operation of online or electronic sabong (e-sabong) in the city to help the economy, especially since many businesses were struggling due to the pandemic.
