By Christopher Hedreyda
SAN PEDRO CITY, Laguna —The city government of San Pedro in Laguna has passed two measures imposing restrictions on online gambling, such as prohibiting its employees from playing on all gambling platforms and taking down digital online gambling advertisements across the city.
Mayor Art Mercado signed Executive Order No. 13 directing Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) licensees, suppliers, gaming venue operators, and system administrators to remove online gambling advertisements within the city by August 15.
Mercado also signed Executive Order No. 14 prohibiting all city officials and employees from playing in online casinos and other forms of gambling activities within the city. Both orders were signed on July 11.
“As public servants, it is our duty to set an example of discipline, integrity, and compassion. We cannot build a better community if we tolerate distractions that silently destroy lives,” he said in a Facebook statement on August 4.
The local chief executive stressed his commitment to prioritize programs with genuine value and purpose, while encouraging the public to turn away from vices that lead nowhere.
“This is not a fight against leisure, but a fight against systems that slowly drag families, young people, and livelihoods into ruin,” Mercado said.
“In San Pedro, we will choose what is right, even when it’s not easy,” he added.
EO 13 also prohibits the approval of any new outdoor advertisements promoting online gambling that includes billboards, digital signages, vehicle and public transport ads, posters, flyers, and other outdoor media.
Mercado noted that gambling contributes to social harm, and as civil servants, government employees must set an example by protecting the future of the youth and every family from the dangers of gambling.
In adopting the twin measures, the city government cited the social harm caused by excessive gambling, particularly its impact on the youth, vulnerable individuals, and families, “which can lead to addiction, financial instability, and other consequences detrimental to community well-being.”
It also saw the need to uphold the integrity of public service and ensure the ethical conduct of government employees, fostering public trust and responsible governance.
