By LITO RULONA Correspondent VICE Mayor Raineir Joaquin Uy on Tuesday said he was in favor of allowing the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) to open a casino in the city but hinted that he wanted it built in a place far from downtown Cagayan de Oro. Uy said he prefers the casino opened in a place like Pryce Plaza Hotel that was closed down this year--not in Limketkai center. The firm Limketkai and Sons Inc. has sought a city council resolution that would endorse a plan to open and operate a casino at Limketkai center in Lapasan. The proposed site is near the stateun University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTSP) and places of worship. Asked about the status of the Limketkai group’s application, Uy said, “There is no proper hearing made and proposal endorsed to my office.” Uy’s pronouncement suggested that he was not acknowledging the public hearing on the proposed casino that was called by Councilor Zaldy Ocon’s committee on games and amusement last month. He also said the public hearings would be conducted by the city council as a committee of the whole. “Gahulat lamang kita but I assure the public nga para kini sa kaayuhan sa tanan. Kung naa man ugali ma-desisyon sa city council, it will be for the better, and not for the worst,” Uy said. He explained that the city council would have to weigh arguments from all sides carefully given that Pagcor is a legal entity under the national government. “The law must be followed,” he said. Uy also noted that revenues from a casino would help city hall in its social services, health, and development programs. He assured that if the city council allows the plan, there would be strict guidelines. “Dili lang social development area ang matabangan. This would surely help in terms of employment, tourism, entertainment and business. Motabang pa gyud ang Pagcor pag-develop sa atong governmentun hospitals,” he said. Uy added: “Gani, booming kaayo karon ang Pasay tungod kay tua na didto nag-tapok ang mga casino. Kini maoy pangutana sa halos tanan nga local government units nga ngano tua man nag-tapok ang casino sa usa ka booming city.” Uy said the city council would hear the opposition to the casino plan and seriously consider the arguments against it. “Tan-awon nato ang kabug-aton sa ilang kasupakan. Kinahanglan kini nga timbang-timbangon. Pero wala man siguroy nakadaut sa usa ka siyudad ilabi na kung programa kini sa atong gobyerno nasyunal,” he said. Uy said he has yet to receive Limketkai and Sons Inc.’s proposal. The firm’s letter however was sent to his office last month when the acting vice mayor was Ocon.