SOLON SEES NOTHING WRONG ON CASINO U

            Davao City Rep. Prospero Nograles today asked President Arroyo to take a second look on her decision to reject the proposal to establish a casino school saying that there is no real basis to claim that it would only promote a “culture of gambling” in the country.

          Nograles, vice-chairman of the House Committee on Games and Amusement, said the proposal to put up a school for card dealers, roulette operators and other personnel running gaming tables should have not been rejected outright because the plan also has its own merits.

          The solon pointed out that there is no basis for President Arroyo to claim that the proposed Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. Academy would promote a “culture of gambling” in the country because it would not teach Filipinos how to become gamblers themselves.

          Instead, the school would provide many Filipinos alternative employment opportunities in places like Las Vegas in United States and other casino centers in Paris and London in Europe.

          “I’m sure the school will not train Filipino to become gamblers themselves. The school would only help many Filipinos hone their natural talents as world-class card dealers and other skills required by casinos. I think the president has a misplaced notion that it could promote the so-called culture of gambling in the country,” Nograles stressed.

The proposed casino school is being pushed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) but this was flatly rejected by the president.

          Nograles noted that Filipinos are among the most admired casino workers around the world not only because of their talents as card dealers but also because of their natural advantage such as their grasp on the English language and their positive work attitude.

           “In many casinos worldwide, Filipinos are the most sought by casino players not only because they are good in dealing cards but also, they know how to make the players feel very comfortable even if they are already on a losing streak,” Nograles said.

          Nograles said that through the proposed casino school, more Filipinos can have the opportunity to learn the skills on how to become world-class card dealers and other fields of specialization required by casinos worldwide.

          “They will not be trained to work eventually for our local saklaan or in some underground gambling dens. They will be taught on how to become part of the country’s pool of experts who can be readily deployed in major casino centers worldwide,” said Nograles.

He also pointed out that exporting Filipino talents in casino centers around the world would surely help the government in providing employment to more people and in generating much needed dollar remittances.

April 23, 2002