Compiled by Charles Lj Sido and Joriz Palermo
Kabahin anang sugala ang uban ana nga mga kabataan maka hunahuna ug pangawat kay para lang makapanugal. Gawas atong naay kaya daan. Naa’y kawat ana napod, mga motor, kay kanang lugaraha diha, daplin karsada ang butangan nila. Nya ang mga motor nato ana usa pod na makahatag ug traffic. – Ramael Corgue, parking attendant
I hold the belief that the establishment of casinos would likely lead to an increase in illegal activities on the island. The transformation of a University Town into a gambling destination not only raises concerns but also poses a significant threat, especially to the younger population. Such a setting could potentially encourage irresponsible financial behavior, and unethical actions among individuals. – Alyxandrea Palencia, healthcare virtual assistant
The introduction of such enterprise may promise economic stimulation through job creation and tourism influx, but it concurrently harbors risks of exacerbating gambling addiction and fostering socio-economic disparities, particularly within the student populace. Furthermore, the cultural ethos of the town may transform, potentially altering its identity and community dynamics, therefore, mitigation is imperative before establishing a casino in the city. – Jose Fernando, events host
There are a lot of other options that can bring in revenue for the City— like eco-tourism, sports, and community-based business initiatives that help promote sustainable growth, to name a few. Casinos and gambling invite a “different” crowd that will not be beneficial for the laidback vibe of Dumaguete. As a person who’s supportive of growth and progress, I’m all in for it but not for business ventures that will ruin the calm and peace of our City, its neighboring towns, and Negros Oriental as a whole. – Urich Calumpang, Photography instructor, SU College of Mass Communication
Sa ako ra murag wala koy makuha ana kay sugal man gud na siya angay rana siya sa mga kwartahan pod kay kalingawan mana nila. Pero sa amoa, murag wala gyud mi makuha ana, kay wala man gud ko kasulay ana gud. – Jonathan, pedicab driver
I personally do not like the idea of establishing casinos in Dumaguete. I think casinos, and gambling in general, do more harm than good. Instead of building casinos, we should focus on more sustainable development projects for the benefit of the local community and its residents. – Sophia Garzon, executive assistant, Angus Pryor/Dental Marketing Solutions
As a small-town boy who grew up in Dumaguete, I believe having a casino is a polarizing issue that divides our community. It can be detrimental, given the side effects it pose to society. Addiction, crime, and bankruptcy are a few reasons that lead to this, but do the drawbacks far upset the benefits? If the casino is owned by our local government, all proceeds go into the City’s revenues, and allow the government to invest these back into public projects. Which in turn means that Dumagueteños bear less responsibility on taxation to fund government projects. While gambling is not new to our City, having a casino reduces people’s dependence on illegal gambling dens, and instead, provides a regulated system under the government’s watchful eyes. As an architect who embraces the future, I strive to keep an open mind, and look at the brighter side of things. A casino may be bad for our community; however, if our City can utilize a government-regulated approach targeted at tourists, instead of the locals, it could be a viable option to boost our economy. – Nicco Tijing, architect
Kanang casino nga gi planohan nga ibutang diri sa barangay Batinguel, kung madayon na or ma dili, kung ma aprobahan sa City, dako man gud katungod, sa gi basa ni atoang Legal Officer, dunay balaod ang Pagcor maka put up ug casino bisag asang lugaraha. Kay naa silay katungod mo butang ug casino, na legalized man gud na sa, pareha anang bingo, cockpit, ug kanang mga lotto outlets. Kung dili ma approve sa City, sa akong pagkahibalo, kung tinuoron jud sa Pagcor na mo tukod sila, murag dakog chance na madayon. Pero karon ga-hearing pa, mao nay pinaka-isog karon sa Dumaguete. Nganong mo put up, naay pabor, naa po’y dili pabor. Kalagmitan kung madayon na, mag-agad ra ko sa City Council. Kung mo pabor ang Council, mo pabor ra pod ko, that’s the time na mag conduct ko ug public hearing diri sa barangay. Mao nay atong rule, kay mo apply man gud na sila for casino business. Dili man gud nato malikayan unsay huna-huna sa mga tawo. – Barangay Capt. Frankie Credo, Batinguel
If it’s legal man lang, okay ra pod. Kay ga abide man sa law sa atong gobyerno. And then for the good, it will create jobs also para diri sa taga Batinguel. But tanan man gud ug ma sobraan na, mahimo man pod gud siya ug abusar. Pero ug regulated ra, okay ra kay at least, gi aprobahan na sa atong balaod. – Gary Gagaa, licensed professional teacher
Para nako, duha-duhaan pa ko kay naa man gud siya’y positibo ug negatibong epekto sa atong lugar. Mug-uyon ko kay dili lang mga taga Dumaguete ang muari ana, kundi gikan usab sa lain-lain nga lugar, busa mura’g makatabang siya aron mas mulambo ug mas musaka ang atong siyudad kay pareha lang siya sa turismo. Pero dili gyud nato ma-deny nga tungod kay sugal ni, makadaot gyud ni, dako kaayo ang epekto niini, tanto sa positibo ug negatibo. Kon negosyo atong hisgutan, makatabang gyud siya kay kita ra g’yud. Depende nalang gyud ni sa mga taga Dumaguete kon mu-agree sila pero para nako, okay ra ni siya. – Lisa Miral, Dumaugete Public Market
It will be beneficial since Dumaguete is growing, more growth, more opportunities. As long as it’s managed and regulated properly, I guess there won’t be any issues. – Coffee shop owner
This is my personal opinion; I am not speaking on behalf of any group. First, who benefits from these gambling casinos? Is it the people who have the money? The people here in Dumaguete? Especially the low-income people? Second, gambling is not good because the ones who usually make the money are the ones running the casinos. The ones who go for gambling do not make money, and besides, it is the people who don’t have enough money who attempt to use their salaries or whatever they have [to gamble]. And when they start gambling and it becomes an addiction, it can ruin an individual, especially the family. Third, this is a University Town so most likely, students will be affected, and it is likely that some students will be going to the casinos. Then instead of studying, it will disrupt their studies, and the ones who will be affected the most are their parents sending them money [for school]. To make it short, it is a No for me. – Rev. Jonathan Pia, University Pastor
In my own opinion, balanse-balansihon lang gyud ako nga ma-answer ana kay it is not for me to decide. Pero if it can benefit people like giving or providing more job opportunities, then it is good. As for gambling, it is still up to the people unsaon nila pag-manage ilang kwarta. Kay kung ganahan musugal ang mga tao, naa man na nila, dili man ta ka-buot ana. Kay ang mga tao, iya-iya man pud ta nga naay uban gusto musugal, naay uban dili jud. Also, kung isa ta sa gipili, meaning nakita nila ang potential sa atong lungsod, which is a good sign for us kay nag-improve ta kay ingana biya na. To clarify in my own stand, okay ra if it gives more opportunities pero sa gambling, mahadlok gihapon ta kay di jud ika-deny na dili jud maayo. – Judith Gettings, proprietor, Pigeon Resort
Let’s start with the pros: As a business student, we always prioritize profit, right? Especially when it comes to demand and supply. The casino establishment is an untapped market here in Dumaguete, making it more popular not only here but also in neighboring towns. More people coming in, more people spending money sa casino, meaning more money for the City. Some may also go to bars after playing at the casino. With that said, other establishments (bars, restaurants, etc.) will also benefit from this. Now let’s go to the cons: Establishing a casino here in Dumaguete City poses a threat within and to the neighboring communities. People will engage to gamble meaning mas daghan ilang i-waldas na kwarta. It’s evident that many of the broken families right now are not okay due to gamble, if ma pildi, mag isog-isog; ma pildi, mo utang; ma pildi, mag-wild and it’s an endless cycle. We are also known for being a University Town. Many people choose to live here to study and work. Dumagueteños are saying No this project because they are indeed intellectuals who know that casino establishments is not what they need. It is important to know and prioritize sustainable progress, ensuring that future generations are not affected negatively by the decisions we make today. – Aaron Daniel Duran, SK Councilor, barangay Bantayan
As a Dumagueteño who has lived in the City for years, the town’s lifestyle leans more toward a reserved to lively population. It presents both a boon and bane to the potentiality of the casino establishment. One benefit is that a casino could be a hit with the target market being young adults around the City, and visiting local and foreign tourists which draws in the right mix for this type of entertainment industry to flourish. This University Town attracts people from across different parts of the country or the world. With thousands to millions visiting each year, a casino in theCity would seemingly be an ideal profit making machine. On the other hand, an encumbrance would be the principles and practices of the residents. Dubbed as the City of Gentle People, the residents who have been here the longest would highly prefer to maintain this laid-back and quaint atmosphere. Consequently, an emergence of a casino establishment would seem counter-intuitive. With all of this in mind, a casino can have a place here in the City as long as it satisfies and weighs the best interests of the entire Dumaguete community. – Nichol Angcay, editor-in-chief, The Norsunian
I am not a gambler so this might come out as biased. Pero naa’y pros ug cons jud ana. If you are talking about Dumaguete as a University Town, unsaon pag connect ana ug casino? Wala. There is no connection between them because usually, students depend on their parents, and they are not earning. They are two different things going on opposite directions. I’m against casinos. Ang casino maguba ang moral sa kabatan-onan kay ang sugal usa ka laro sa swerte, so, ang imong tsansa very slight. Naay mga datu na sugarol, daghan nag kwarta but if ang sugal himuon nimog means of earning, I don’t think that’s okay. Granting for the sake of arguments, dapat sila strict sa guidance and rules. Dapat wala jud minor makasulod, especially students kay unsa may isugal ana nga dependent man sa ilang mga ginikanan? Second, mu-income ang syudad through taxes pero imo tan-awon sa kabililhon ang sakripisyo sa mga masa. Ang dapat makasulod rajud diha kay ang mga tawo nga ga-income ug millions. Tie up lang sa BIR para sure na di pasudlon ang mga low-income kay this is for their own good. – Engr. Rogelio Macion, president, Dumaguete Fruit & Wet Market
