Manila Bulletin
By BEN ROSARIO
A House of Representatives committee yesterday approved the granting of a legislative franchise for the staging of greyhound dog racing in the country despite apprehensions raised by animal rights advocates among members of the panel.
The proposed grant of legislative franchise for the Southeast Asia Greyhound Racing Club Inc. is the second to be approved by the House panel for the introduction of dog racing in the country.
The first greyhound racing franchise approved by the committee was one applied for by a Cebu-based group.
The House panel approved the franchise application of SAGRC provided it will operate only in Central Luzon, specifically in Bulacan and Pampanga.
Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona, author of House Bill 4116, said the apprehensions raised by animal rights advocates will be addressed by the committee secretariat which will conduct consultations with animal welfare groups, particularly the Philippine Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Against Animals.
However, at yesterday’s hearing, Boysie Villavicencio, director of the Philippine Canine Society, said dogs like greyhounds are better off racing than being caged.
On the other hand, Patrick Velez, counsel of the SAGRC, said the group proposing the greyhound racing are actually dog lovers.
Northern Samar Rep. Paul Daza aired strong apprehensions that greyhounds are being drugged to compete in races.
However, proponents of the bill assured Daza that drugging is not necessary in dog racing and is not resorted to because this might affect the canine’s health and ability to race.
Madrona assured his colleagues that the bill will contain provisions that would guarantee ample protection on animals that will race.
"The operation for the proposed racetrack for dog racing shall be subject to the supervision and regulation of the Games and Amusement Board. Likewise, part of the total wager funds or gross receipts of the tickets shall be given to the city or municipality where the race track will be located to be used exclusively in any special health, educational, civil, cultural and other vital purposes," Madrona explained.
The veteran solon revealed that dog racing involves trained greyhounds who will pursue a mechanical lure around a circular or oval, thus, there is no need for drugging for them to run.
"This popular race is expected to attract foreign tourists into the country which will in turn boost the tourism industry thus, creating more jobs for hundreds of our countrymen and augment the revenues of the government, including the city or municipality where the racetrack will be located," Madrona.
By BEN ROSARIO
A House of Representatives committee yesterday approved the granting of a legislative franchise for the staging of greyhound dog racing in the country despite apprehensions raised by animal rights advocates among members of the panel.
The proposed grant of legislative franchise for the Southeast Asia Greyhound Racing Club Inc. is the second to be approved by the House panel for the introduction of dog racing in the country.
The first greyhound racing franchise approved by the committee was one applied for by a Cebu-based group.
The House panel approved the franchise application of SAGRC provided it will operate only in Central Luzon, specifically in Bulacan and Pampanga.
Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona, author of House Bill 4116, said the apprehensions raised by animal rights advocates will be addressed by the committee secretariat which will conduct consultations with animal welfare groups, particularly the Philippine Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Against Animals.
However, at yesterday’s hearing, Boysie Villavicencio, director of the Philippine Canine Society, said dogs like greyhounds are better off racing than being caged.
On the other hand, Patrick Velez, counsel of the SAGRC, said the group proposing the greyhound racing are actually dog lovers.
Northern Samar Rep. Paul Daza aired strong apprehensions that greyhounds are being drugged to compete in races.
However, proponents of the bill assured Daza that drugging is not necessary in dog racing and is not resorted to because this might affect the canine’s health and ability to race.
Madrona assured his colleagues that the bill will contain provisions that would guarantee ample protection on animals that will race.
"The operation for the proposed racetrack for dog racing shall be subject to the supervision and regulation of the Games and Amusement Board. Likewise, part of the total wager funds or gross receipts of the tickets shall be given to the city or municipality where the race track will be located to be used exclusively in any special health, educational, civil, cultural and other vital purposes," Madrona explained.
The veteran solon revealed that dog racing involves trained greyhounds who will pursue a mechanical lure around a circular or oval, thus, there is no need for drugging for them to run.
"This popular race is expected to attract foreign tourists into the country which will in turn boost the tourism industry thus, creating more jobs for hundreds of our countrymen and augment the revenues of the government, including the city or municipality where the racetrack will be located," Madrona.
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