Itogon execs, folks condemn gambling

By Susan C. Aro

ITOGON, Benguet – Local officials here declared their stand against illegal gambling following a recent manifesto issued by residents condemning all forms of illegal gambling.

Mayor Oscar Camantiles said his administration is bent on totally eradicating illegal forms of gambling in this town such as jueteng.

More than a hundred from the sectoral groups and community including town officials forged the declaration against all forms of illegal gambling in a public forum.

Camantiles said their decision to come up with a declaration was with conviction and thorough discernment on the ill effects of the games of chance.

Stated in the manifesto were ill effects of gambling – “gambling is a vice, addictive, depletes a family income, affects work performance, strains marital relations, affects peace and order and the socio-economic development of the community but above all it demeans moral integrity of a person.”

Camantiles said there were some kubradores who attended the forum who said they became jueteng bet collectors as there were no alternative jobs.

The mayor bared one focus of his administration was livelihood and employment for constituents including kubradors.

The Itogon local government created Task Force LEO (low economic output) to look into plight of kubradores and their concerns.

Camantiles said they were sourcing out ways to generate revenues from investors in the municipality such as mining companies and other industries.

Vice Mayor Noel Ngolob also said the council passed a measure against illegal gambling now with the provincial board for further study.

Camantiles also called on the church to help inform their faithful on ill effects of gambling.

Police Chief Insp. Robert Gaspar said they recently arrested three kubradores.