SENATOR Ricardo S. Atalig has introduced two local measures which he said would help Rota’s economy.
“I came up with these two bills which I think are creative ways of finding additional economic resources for the island instead of just waiting for investors to come in,” Atalig, R-Rota, said.
Senate Local Bill 13-1 proposes to regulate cockfighting and bingo or batu operations. It would also establish a Rota gaming board to regulate these activities.
Atalig said the bill primarily seeks to construct a cockpit on Rota through an exclusive franchise for an initial period of 15 years.
He said many people are into cockfighting on Rota but the local government does not realize much earnings from it as it doesn’t have a cockpit arena and a gaming board.
Within one year of the awarding of a franchise license, Atalig said the winning bidder of the initial franchise would construct a building for cockfighting. The design will be approved by the board and the Rota Public Works Department in consultation with the mayor.
He said the cockpit would be a “modern, typhoon-resistant structure” that would cost $75,000 to $100,000.
S.L.B. 13-3, for its part, seeks to impose a complete ban on the exportation of raw bayogo seeds which are used in making leis.
Atalig said many people are getting the seeds from the island and earning much when they make them into leis. A 50-pound sack of bayogo, according to Atalig, costs $150. If these are made into handicrafts, he said manufacturers could earn $1,000 to $5,000.
Atalig said a large quantity of bayogo is being harvested and exported out of Rota to be used in the manufacturing leis and other handicrafts that are sold in gift shops particularly to tourists. But he said Rota does not realize any income from this.
If the export of bayogos would be banned, he said it will encourage the establishment of a handicraft industry on the island and create employment for local residents.
