(Courtesy of United Philippine Surfing Association)
BUTUAN CITY – A local government unit (LGU) has the power to regulate all sports events, including the authority to seek permits as enshrined in Republic Act (RA) 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991.
Surigao del Norte 1st District Rep. Francisco Jose Matugas II, in a statement sent to the Philippine News Agency on Sunday, asserted the power of LGUs to regulate sports events inside its territorial jurisdiction is stipulated under Section 444 of RA 7160.
He issued the statement after a controversy between the General Luna LGU and the provincial government of Surigao del Norte regarding the holding of a national surfing competition.
The Governor’s National Surfing Cup was supposed to be held on October 5 to 13 in General Luna, situated at the southern side of Siargao Island.
The surfing site was fenced off as the tournament did not have an LGU permit.
The event, eventually canceled, was the second leg of a United Philippine Surfing Association (UPSA) series following the First Mayor Sol’s Surfing Competition held September 28 to October 2.
Another event, the 26th Siargao International Surfing Cup, is also slated in Siargao on October 15 to 21.
Section 444 of RA 7160 states that "the municipal mayor, as the chief executive of the municipal government, shall exercise such powers and perform such duties and functions", including (iv) to "issue licenses and permits and suspend or revoke the same for any violation of the conditions upon which said licenses or permits had been issued, pursuant to law or ordinance."
The General Luna LGU cited Municipal Ordinance No. 026-22, passed on June 23, that created the Municipal Sports and Recreation Center (MSRC), under the Office of the Mayor and tasked to manage all sports events in the town.
Sports events not authorized under the MSRC are considered illegal and contrary to the provisions of the local law.
“A permit is needed, as the LGU of General Luna has a valid and operative ordinance, stating that all sports activities should be under the direct supervision of the Office of the Mayor,” Matugas said.
On Wednesday, Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. went to Siargao Island to settle the controversy.
After Abalos’ visit, Surigao del Norte Governor Robert Lyndon Barbers apologized and canceled the competition where some 200 surfers registered “to prevent the people of Siargao from being caught in the middle of two boulders heading for collision.”
“It is sad that the governor chose to cancel the Governor’s Cup rather than apply for a mayor’s permit," Matugas said.
Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) announced on Saturday the opening of regular flights from Davao City to Siargao Island starting November 7.
“You can now visit the surfing capital of the country,” CEB’s Facebook post read.
There will be flights every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to and from Siargao’s Sayak Airport in Del Carmen town. (PNA)
