PCSO approves 13 more STL agents

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) on Monday announced that it has approved 13 more small town lottery (STL) agents for the first semester of 2018.

“We would like to welcome these new STL agents. We have also terminated some agents for violating provisions in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of STL. This only goes to show that we will not hesitate to terminate them,” PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan said in a press release.

Data from the Branch Operations Sector headed by Assistant General Manager Remeliza Gabuyo showed the list of newly-awarded Authorized Agent Corporations (AACs):

• Mountain View Games of Chance Corporation both for Provinces of Kalinga and Apayao;
• Red Carpet Gaming Corporation of Province of Siquijor;
• Zamboanga Amusement and Recreational Incorporated of Province of Zamboanga Sibugay;
• Fairways Management and Gaming Corporation of Province of Zamboanga Del Norte;
• Mindanao ABCD Corporation of Province of Dinagat;
• JGM Gaming and Leisure Corporation of Saranggani;
• Scorpio Games and Amusement Inc. of Bohol;
• Jy Archers Games & Entertainment Corporation of South Cotabato;
• Goldfranc Amusement and Gaming Corp. of Ifugao;
• Red Subay Gaming Corporation of Iloilo Province;
• Nuebe Swerte Inc. of Davao Occidental; and
• Top Gem Gaming Inc. of Cavite City

STL is a regular game by PCSO authorized by the national government through Section 1 of Republic Act No. 1169, while authorized STL agents are corporations or cooperatives which are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and qualified by PCSO to conduct STL in a particular area.

According to Balutan, a total of 82 AACs have been operating from January to July 2018, with a total of P11,661,122,165.28 overall sales (excluding the gross payment of presumptive monthly retail receipt shortfall).

Balutan noted that the said revenue has shown an 89 percent increase compared to the same period in 2017, which only had P6,177,109,388,53 sales.

Balutan also said that STL has produced 269,662 cobradores (sales representatives), 21,158 caboes (sales supervisors), and 11,716 organic STL employees.

"STL has provided ‘legal’ jobs for people who were used to ‘illegal numbers game.' They are the ones who cannot even pass the nitty-gritties of job fairs due to age, lack of education, and physical disability," Balutan said.

"We have saved them from vices – example drugs – and from being exploited by criminals. STL is giving them and their families a decent life,” he added.

Instead of supporting jueteng, Balutan said it would be better to support STL corporations as they also provide regular medical mission and educational assistance. — BAP, GMA News