Mayor Bernard Dy was one among top officials of the province including Congressman Faustino “Inno” Dy V, Congressman Tonypet Albano, and Provincial Governor Rodito Albano in the province who appeared on February 19, 2021 for the Congressional Hearing of HR 1472 better known as Property of the PCSO 2020 Revised STL Implementing Rules and Regulations, who appeared before the congressional hearing chaired by the chairman on the Committee on Games and Amusement, Congressman Joseph Sto Niño Bernos asserting their stand questioning some provisions of the said HR 1472.
Mayor Dy presents his stand via zoom conference, that unauthorized operations of Small Town Lottery of PCSO has no space to operate in the city in the absence of their business permit to operate issued by his office.
It is apparent that there STL outlets are operating without issued business permits and violations of health safety protocols making the city government to act for the stoppage of the operations.
Mayor Dy also expressed his disappointment and strongly condemned over some actions of national agencies particularly the NBI who according to him would likely be their partners in implementing laws but the latter has giving harassment lately to the local law enforcers in the city.
Below is the text of the Manifesto of Cauayan City LGU represented by Mayor Bernard Dy.
“First and foremost, please allow me to give my sincerest thanks for initiating this congressional hearing to tackle the issue on the propriety of the conduct of the Small Town Lottery, which is not only a matter of public concern for my city, but for the rest of the cities and municipalities for these activities have been operating.
My presence in this hearing represents the position of the LGU’s that we will not tolerate the unauthorize operation of STL for the absence of their necessary permits in addition to their continuous violations of public health standard protocols, and strongly condemned the different kinds of harassment we experienced by asserting our stand.
As the Local Chief Executive, we are mandated to regulate all kinds of economic activities in our jurisdiction, and protect the health and safety of the general public by implementing the national and local laws, rules and regulations governing the same.
And we are saddened that by doing so, we are being charged with baseless accusations and case which only trying to put some pressure on us by people who cannot comply with such directions because of personal interest.
We are more disappointed by the fact, that even other agents of the National Government we expect to work with in the discharge of our duty are among those who do this harassment.
In fact, last week, members of the NBI personally went to our Public Safety Division and warned our officers to refrain from apprehending those in charge of these unauthorized STL operations in our locality.
How can we then expect for good governance, fairness, accountability and transparency be possible with this kind of system.
Again, it is our position that we will assert and protect public interest above personal interest of the few for the welfare and protection of our community.
Thank you very much and good afternoon”
