LINGAYEN – Members of the sangguniang panlalawigan are keen on allowing the operation of Small Town Lottery (STL) in the province to prevent the resurgence of jueteng, the illegal numbers game.

Four members of the provincial board who filed a pro-STL resolution however want the national government through the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to adopt and implement clear guidelines for the operation of STL to prevent glitches that snagged the introduction of Loterya ng Bayan and the Bingo 2 Ball during the term of President Corazon Aquino and President Joseph Estrada, respectively.

Authored by Board Members Amadeo Espino, Nestor Reyes, John Agerico Rosario and Robert Raymund Estrella, Jr., proposed Resolution No. 1451-2006 hoped that the introduction of STL would discourage illegal gambling operators to revive their operation in Pangasinan.

The PCSO recently began test-launching of STL in Pampanga, Laguna and several other selected areas.

Although the operation of STL is still experimental in nature, the authors of the resolution said it is necessary to adopt and implement strict guidelines to safeguard public interest.

They cited also the need to observe transparency in the operation of STL and the designation of credible and qualified managers or operators. (PIO)