CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Misamis Oriental introduced Hexaprime Inc. as its new authorized agent corporation for the Small Town Lottery (STL) operations in a press conference at the Philtown Hotel, Cagayan de Oro (CDO) City, October 23.

After the fallout with the former STL operators, PCSO Misamis Oriental is optimistic about Hexaprime after it received its authority to operate, October 17.

Divina M. Salvacion, OIC branch manager of PCSO Misamis Oriental, said, “Ang atong authorized agent corporation for Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City is Hexaprime Inc., ug naa sila’y local business office diri, and we also have our draw court. They have the authority to operate nga nag-start adtong October 17 [Our authorized agent corporation for Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City is Hexaprime Inc.; they have a local business office here, and we also have our draw court. They have the authority to operate, which started on October 17]."

Salvacion said the localized STL draws are scheduled for 11:00 a.m., 4:00 p.m., and 8:00 p.m., respectively, while the national draws are at 2:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., and 9:00 p.m.

According to Salvacion, there are no restrictions as to the number of STL outlets in operation as long as the distance restrictions stated in the STL Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) are strictly followed and monitored.

She said that an STL outlet must be 200 meters away from any Lotto outlet, 100 meters away from any religious structure, and 100 meters away from any daycare facility, including elementary and high schools.

For his part, Lawyer Delbert John Z. Barsaga, one of Hexaprime’s legal consultants, said, “Naa mi'y CSR hotline naka-post sa amoang Facebook page, any complaint, bisan unsa nga kakulian pertaining sa operations sa pwede ninyo i-file or i-bring up didto, we will ensure nga ma-rectify or ma-address immediately ang any concern sa mga katawhan o manayaay [To ensure that, we have a CSR hotline posted on our Facebook page, any complaint pertaining to the operations may be brought up or filed there, we will ensure that these concerns from the public and bettors are rectified or addressed immediately]."

Barsaga clarifies that while Hexaprime has only one draw court located at Unit 1, 2nd Floor, El Cid Building 2, General Antonio Luna Street, this city, there are two separate draw machines and that the draws for Misamis Oriental and CDO are separate.

Amidst concerns about individuals becoming addicted to betting, Hexaprime legal consultant, Lawyer Rhino Y. Perez, said that they will study and map out an advocacy plan to prevent that from happening during their operations.

Perez also said workers from the previous STL operator are welcome to apply and work for Hexaprime, and that the incidents involving PCSO and the said previous operator serve as a valuable lesson for them.

Hexaprime Inc. will issue a certificate to operate PCSO STL and payout stations to avoid bettors falling victim to illegal STL outlets.

Hexaprime Inc. is located at VLC Tower One, Pueblo de Oro Business Park, Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City.

PCSO is the principal government agency for raising and providing funds for health programs, medical assistance and services, and charities of national character. It holds and conducts charity sweepstakes, races, and lotteries and engages in health and welfare-related investments, projects, and activities to provide for permanent and continuing sources of funds for its programs. It also undertakes other activities to enhance and expand such fund-generating operations as well as strengthen the agency’s fund-management capabilities. (SAYU/PIA-10)