P75-B GAMEFOWL INDUSTRY NAGPASAKLOLO KAY PANGULONG DUTERTE

GAMEFOWL

ANG INDUSTRIYA na kailanman ay hindi inabala ang gobyerno para sa anumang social amelioration o tulong pinansiyal buhat nang magsimula ang COVID-19 quarantines noong Marso ay kagyat na nangangailangan ngayon ng simpleng tulong, o ‘life support,’ mula kay Pangulong Duterte, sa pamamagitan ng Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) – isang permit para makapagpatuloy ang umano’y safety-guaranteed new normal na mga gamefowl derby nito.

Ang mga stakeholder ng game fowl industry, na nagkakaloob ng ‘modest but decent and honest living’ sa milyon-milyong benepisyaryo, nagbabahagi ng daan-daang milyong pisong buwis sa gobyerno at sinasabing nag-aambag ng may P75 billion na revenue sa local economy, ay nahihirapang kumbinsihin ang IATF na “ang aming new normal design para sa sports birds, o sabong, ay higit na ligtas kaysa operasyon ng facial at wellness center na pinayagan kamakailan sa mga lugar na nasa ilalim ng general community quarantine at modified general community quarantine.”

“We are law-abiding game fowl breeders that rely on the sense of judgement and fairness of the officials who composed the IATF. Letters after letters since last June have been sent by us to various concerned agencies outlining our assurances for the safe conduct of our culture-indoctrinated sports called ‘sabong,’ but have gone unacted. Our last recourse now would be to appeal for President Rodrigo Duterte’s imprimatur,” pahayag ng International Federation of Gamefowl Breeders Association, Inc. (FIGBA).

Sinabi ng 20-year old federation na binubuo ng may 42 provincial game fowl breeders’ associations sa buong bansa na “ang mga direktang benepisyaryo ng mga lehitimong derbies na tinatayang nasa 50,000 marginal breeding farms, 1,200 cockpit owners at daang libong manggagawa na inempleyo ng allied service at supply firms ng battle birds’ breeding at cockfights ang una sa aming isipan sa pagtutulak na aprubahan ang aming sports events.”

“We appeal to your generous heart, Mr. President, to allow the resumption of derbies, with strict implementation of health protocols (a copy of our safety-guaranteed proposal and design was already sent to the IATF through Health Sec. Francisco Duque last June 24, 2020) as we remain a committed partner in your administration’s efforts to promote cultural and tourism activities through our sports events which may also help soften the impact of the coronavirus pandemic in our economy,” sabi ni FIGBA president Ricardo Palmares, Jr.

Ipinaliwanag ni Palmares na lumago nang husto ang game fowl industry sa mga nakalipas na taon na may tinatayang annual revenue na P75 bilyon, na kinabibilangan ng halaga ng feeds vaccines, vitamins, mineral supplements at medicines, farm equipment, farm accessories tulad ng incubators, pens, derby gadgets, halaga ng lupa para sa farm at construction materials.

“The biggest players in our industry include San Miguel Feeds, Inc., UNACHO of UNILAB, Gokongwei Group, Lucio Tan Group, Aboitiz Group, Purina, Charoen Pokphand of Thailand, Excellence Poultry and Livestock Specialist, Lakpue Drug, Inc. and hundreds of feed mills and veterinary product companies,” ayon kay Palmares.

Binigyang-diin ng FIGBA president na ang lahat ng mga kinakailangang datos na bumabalangkas sa tinatawag niyang ‘economic paralysis’ na tumama sa game fowl industry ay naisumite na sa National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) para sa angkop na paghahalaga.

“We have also submitted to the IATF and the DILG our proposed health protocol design aligned to what the health authorities have prescribed, including cockpit retrofitting and modular dividers to conform with physical distancing and ventilation requirement for indoor events,” sabi pa ng FIGBA head.

Sa kanyang pangwakas na pahayag ay nanawagan si Palmares kay Presidente Duterte: “Mahal naming Pangulo, nanatili kaming mahinahon at masunurin sa iyong panawagang suportahan ang laban sa COVID-19, at sa aming maliit na paraan ay nagbigay kami ng tulong sa libo-libo naming miyembro. Kailanman ay hindi kami naging pabigat sa local man o pamahalaang nasyunal at hangad naming manatiling ganyan. Ninanais din naming maging bahagi ng solusyon sa mga umiiral na problema ngayong pandemya at ito’y magagampanan naming kung kami ay papayagan na po ninyong magpatuloy sa aming sports events na may garantiyang susundin naming ang mga umiiral na health protocols na isinasaad sa kautusan ng IATF.”

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