By LITO RULONA
Correspondent
AT least nine councilors have signified their support for Limketkai Sons Inc.’s plan to open a casino in the city.
Those who said they were in favor of the plan are councilors Reuben Daba, Romeo Calizo, Jay Pascual, Edna Dahino, Ma. Lourdes Gaane, Dometilo Acenas Jr., Leon Gan, Yan Lam Lim, and George Goking.
Of the city’s 15 councilors, only two flatly rejected the proposal to operate a casino at Limketkai center: councilors Enrico Salcedo and Lordan Suan.
Councilors who said they are waiting for a detailed proposal, and who are open to discussions are councilors Annie Daba, Nadya Elipe, Ian Mark Nacaya, Teodulfo Lao Jr., and Suzette Daba whose father, ex-mayor Pablo Magtajas, led the opposition to the casino operations at Pryce Plaza in the ’90s.
Councilor Zaldy Ocon, chairman of the city council’s games and amusement committee, declined to comment, explaining that he would be in the forefront of the public hearings on the casino proposal.
“Ako dili ko ganahan sa casino apan kung makatabang sa katawhan ngano dili man nato supportahan? Dili nato ikalimod nga ang casino dako og tabang for infrastructure projects, medicines and hospital needs,” said Councilor Reuben Daba, pointing out that there would be strict regulations.
Councilor Gaane, for her part, said that with a casino, the city could raise at least P2 million a month or more for social responsibility projects.
Gaane said Davao was receiving P2 million a month as share from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp..
Dahino said her interest is on the jobs that a casino would create in the city while Calizo, Jay Pascual and Goking pointed out that city hall would generate more revenues on top of its Internal Revenue Allotment and local taxes.
“If there is a prohibition, we will follow the law but if there is none, then why should we prohibit it (casino) when it will bring good to the city?” asked Gan rhetorically.
But Salcedo said he would opoenly oppose any plan to operate a casino here.
“Daghan man kaayo mga middle class paingon sa kabus nga pareha nako nakasulod. Kung naa dinhi sa Cagayan de Oro, the crime rate will surely rise. Mao nga against ko. Daghan pud pamilya ang mabungkag tungod kay sa kasaysayan sa sugal daghan families mabungkag,” said Salcedo. He said city hall should seriously consider the Church’s position.
Lao meanwhile stressed the need for a series of consultations that would involve all sectors in the city.
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