DEPARTMENT of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said on Tuesday, July 9, that they are already checking the numbers to see how many may be affected in case of a POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) ban in the country.
”Sa DOLE, we always are concerned with loss of employment, but we will always in a sense follow, abide kung ano man iyong decision vis-Ă -vis this item,” Laguesma said at a Palace press conference.
Earlier, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said that Marcos Cabinet has yet to discuss calls to ban illegal POGO operations in the country.
On Monday, June 8, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto also said he is keen on recommending to the President to halt the operations of POGOs, given the recent issues surrounding the industry.
“In the meantime, we have already done profiling of those who will be affected just in case magkaroon talaga ng desisyon na isara iyan,” Laguesma said.
In September 2023, Balisacan said he would recommend to President Ferdinand ”Bongbong” Marcos Jr. the banning of POGOs in the country, noting that legitimate investments are encouraged instead of POGOs.
So far, the Philippine government has been investigating the illegal POGO hubs in the country.
Authorities have been launching a series of raids against POGO hubs, leading to the rescue of torture and kidnap victims and the discovery of equipment for alleged criminal activities. (GMA Integrated News)
