Local gov’t rejects Pagcor plan to operate casino in Butuan

(Editors’ note: Fixes 6th para to show it was Pagcor making comment)

BUTUAN CITY—Mounting pressures from the Catholic Church and other groups have forced the city government to trash a proposal by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.  to operate a casino here.

Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. made the disclosure Thursday even as he stressed that he was personally opposed to the idea of a casino in the city. .

Pagcor had proposed to put up the casino at the Dotties Hotel and Convention Center here.

Amante said that during public consultations, they found out that there was overwhelming opposition to the proposal, which prompted him to deny Pagcor a permit to operate a casino.

“There was resistance especially from the Church and cause-oriented groups and personally I am opposed to the casino operation,” Amante said.

Pagcor had said earlier that the operation of the casino could pump-prime the local economy by generating more revenues and employment opportunities.

Amante said he was confident that the rejection of the Pagcor proposal would not dampen investor confidence in the city.

“I don’t think it would create a negative impact on investors’ confidence. A casino is not even part of our agenda for our economic growth,” he said.

Anti-casino groups hailed Amante’s move, saying it was the “right decision toward moral recovery and good government.”

Pastor Charlie Prior, national vice-president of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches, said a casino was unacceptable because of its underlying moral repercussions.

Prior said allowing the gambling operation would also run counter to Amante’s moral recovery initiative.

He said Butuan did not need casinos to generate employment and raise additional revenues to fund local infrastructure projects, livelihood and social services.

“There are other priorities and initiatives that Butuan should give attention to in terms of generating income and employment than aside from a casino,” Prior said.