ILOILO CITY—The provincial government of Iloilo is allowing the resumption of cockfighting, but will not allow any audience as a precautionary measure against coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
“We are allowing the resumption of cockfighting, but there are limitations,” said Governor Arthur Defensor Jr.
This announcement came after the National Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on COVID-19 issued Resolution No. 79 that lifted the ban on cockfighting in areas that are under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) or in lower restriction level.
Defensor also met with four different associations that urged the provincial government to reopen its business under the new normal.
But the governor emphasized that it would still be the decision of the local government units (LGUs) in any of the 42 towns or the component city of Passi on whether to allow resumption of cockfighting in their areas or not.
Meanwhile, the Panay Gamefowl Breeders Association PAGBA assured that it will follow the guidelines of the national government’s task force once cockfighting resumes.
PAGBA President Ricardo Palmares Jr. said only owners or the handlers will be allowed inside cockfighting arenas.
Palmares also assured there will be no online betting or live stream of the cockfighting activities.