IATF allows cockfighting activities in alert level 2 areas
Cockfighting arenas are now allowed to operate in areas under alert level 2 as long as the local government units (LGUs) allow it and the events follow minimum health standards as prescribed by the government, Cabinet Secretary and acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said Wednesday, Dec. 15.

During a virtual press briefing, the Palace official stressed that it is up to the respective LGUs if they will allow cockfighting in their areas, and they will also decide on where this will take place.
He explained the protocols that should be followed if cockfighting is to resume in areas under alert level 2, which covers most of the Philippines.
“Dapat mahipit po ang local government units sa pagpapatupad ng (The local government units should be strict in enforcing) minimum health standards at (and) technology-based betting,” Nograles said.
Cockfighting arenas should have a maximum of 50 percent of their capacity and only fully vaccinated individuals can enter, the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) said in its Resolution No. 154.
On-site workers of the cockpit arenas should also be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and betting shall be cashless and shall use only technology-based platforms so there will be no physical contact anywhere in the cockpit nor “oral placing of bets.”
READ: PH Christmas, New Year's Eve to be spent under alert level 2
“Tanging (Only) technology-based platforms ang pinapayagan. Ibig sabihin nito walang palitan ng pera sa sabungan (will be allowed. This means that there will be no exchange of cash in cockpit),” Nograles said.
“Hindi na pwedeng tumaya na nagsisigawan o nagsasalita (You cannot place your bets while shouting or talking),” he added.
This came after Health Secretary Francisco Duque III confirmed that the country will remain under alert level 2 until yearend despite the declining number of cases.
More than 90 percent of the country is under alert level 2 while a few are under the stricter alert level 3.
On Tuesday, Dec. 14, the Philippines recorded 235 new cases, the lowest number of cases this 2021. It also has a positivity rate of 0.4 percent, which is the lowest since the data became available in April 2020.