Legazpi Residents Up in Arms vs Casino

LEGAZPI CITY, October 22, 2009-The Alyansa Kontra Casino will not rest until all forms of gambling in the city and the province of Albay are totally eradicated.

This was the statement of Rev. Fr. Ramoncito Segubiense in an interview over Radio Veritas Legazpi yesterday.

Segubiense, who heads the diocesan Social Action Center (SAC), said there will be no let-up in their group's campaign now after they discovered plans to establish a casino in the province are being revived.

It will be recalled it was this alliance that virtually stopped the launching of a high-class gambling establishment at the newly-built business hub near the port of the city in the later part of July this year.

After a series of aggressive media campaign, forums and direct confrontations, that proposal was finally withdrawn by its proponents.

Segubiense said information reached his office about the plan to set up the casino has again been revived and that the promoters are planning to build it in a luxury resort in the adjacent municipality of Bacacay.

He added that he has already requested the aid of the Vicarial SAC and that of SAC Bacacay to help their coalition in monitoring the developments of the issue from their end and at the same time conduct similar activities to block the plan.

Meanwhile, Segubiense pledged to call for a meeting on the issue.

In addition, Segubiense vowed to look into reports that more than ten gambling stalls (colored games, ping-pong, etc.) are operating behind the fiesta flea market in the heart of downtown Legazpi making the feast of St. Raphael Archangel an excuse.

Anti-gambling advocates believe these stalls will likely continue to operate well into the Christmas season if left unchecked.

The Alyansa Kontra Casino is a group of anti-gambling advocates led by the Diocese of Legazpi and representatives from other faith-based organizations, NGOs, academe, militant groups and concerned citizens. (Joey B. Garalde)