Labangon to regulate “raffles” for kids

CEBU, Philippines - Labangon barangay officials want to prohibit the operation of any form of lottery or raffles near the school campuses to prevent children from playing this game.

Labangon Barangay Captain Victor Buendia said his office had received numerous complaints from parents that their children spent their money on this lottery or raffles instead of buying something for their snacks.

Buendia had observed that this kind of raffles, which is commonly known as “bunot-bunot,” only gives a small chance of winning but the school children are vulnerable to this kind of deception.

The Freeman also observed that such kind of lottery or raffles for children also operate near Lahug Elementary School.

The person operating the “bunot-bunot” will convince the children to pay P1 for each number, but because there are only few prizes and there are about 500 slots, the chance of winning is very remote.

Councilor Sisinio Andales, head of the City Council’s committee on laws and ordinances, said the barangay council is empowered by law to enact such kind of ordinance.

Andales, however, said the barangay council of Labangon should include the phrase “prescribing penalties” on the title of the proposed ordinance.

The ordinance approved by the Labangon barangay officials provides that they would just confiscate the tickets, including the prizes of the raffles.

The law provides that all ordinances approved by the barangay councils need to be reviewed first by the City Council and to be published to the public before it can be implemented. – (FREEMAN)