Cockfighting still banned in Iloilo City amid MGCQ

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

Cockfighting is still prohibited in Iloilo City amid the Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ).

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas reiterated the ban despite reports that several local government units (LGUs) in the country have allowed cockfighting in their areas.

“We are not allowing any cockfighting until we have issued an executive order solely for this. No cockfighting allowed in the meantime,” he said in a statement posted on the social media page of Iloilo City government on Thursday.

According to the mayor, he received a text from Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr. chief implementer of the National Action Plan against COVID-19 confirming that cockfighting is still not allowed in the city amid its MGCQ status.

“Sir mahirap po [ang]cockfighting. Mahigit 200 ang nagkahawaan [ng COVID-19] sa Davao at kumalat hanggang Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro at Lanao. Siguro mga July pa pag new normal na tayo,” Galvez said in a text message he sent to Treñas.

Iloilo City shifted to the more permissive MGCQ from June 1 until June 15, 2020 pursuant to Resolution No. 41 of the national Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) against COVID-19.

The mayor issued executive order (EO) No. 086 on May 31 mandating the MGCQ guidelines in the metro.

Under the order, businesses were allowed to open provided they follow minimum health standards such as physical distancing and wearing of face masks.

During the MGCQ in Iloilo City, personal care services such as massage parlors, facial care, foot spa, gyms, fitness studios; libraries, archives, museums; resorts, parks, beaches, and other leisure/tourism establishments were allowed to operate at a maximum operational capacity of 50 percent and at a maximum venue capacity of 50 percent.

Section 4 of the order allowed the operations of amusement centers including movie houses, theaters, computer and online gaming shops, all night clubs, pubs, casinos, cockpits, and other leisure and amusement establishments that promote mass gatherings.

Individual and group outdoor exercises including non-contact sports such as, golf, swimming, tennis, badminton, equestrian, and skateboarding shall be allowed provided that the minimum public health standards will be observed.

The city government also allowed public gathering such as but not limited to, movie screenings, and concerts, sporting events, and other entertainment activities, community assemblies, and non-essential work gatherings provided that participants shall be limited to fifty percent of the venue or seating capacity with strict compliance with the minimum health standards and safety measures.

There are three legal cockpit arenas in the metro – Rockwell Cockpit Arena in Lapuz district, Iloilo Coliseum in Jaro district, and the Mandurriao Cockpit Arena in Mandurriao district.