BI to expedite exit of foreign POGO workers for year-end ban

September 28, 2024 , 05:43 PM

By Gabriel Kim Leal

(September 28, 2024) – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Saturday said it will expedite the processing of exit clearances for foreign workers of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).

The move came as part of the government’s efforts to close down POGOs by the end of the year following the order of Pres. Bongbong Marcos Jr. last July.

“Members agreed to conduct service days for POGO companies, where we will implement their downgraded visa status and issue exit clearances,” said BI officer-in-charge Joel Anthony Viado in a media release.

He also reiterated the earlier directive of the Department of Justice to give foreign POGO workers until October 15 to voluntarily downgrade their visa status. Those who fail to do so will be ordered to leave the country within 59 days.

As of September 24, the BI has downgraded 5,955 visas of foreign POGO workers, with 55% of them having already left the country.

“The more challenging period will come in 2025, when those who have refused to leave will be arrested, deported, and blacklisted from the Philippines,” added Viado.

Marcos ordered the ban of POGOs during his third State of the Nation Address, citing their links to illegal activities such as human trafficking, financial scams, prostitution, kidnapping, and torture, among others.

POGOs flourished during the term of former president Rodrigo Duterte. Despite reports of their criminal activities, Duterte repeatedly defended POGOs for their economic contributions.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation estimated that the ban could lead to a revenue loss worth P23 billion and the elimination of around 40,000 jobs.

The Department of Labor and Employment vowed to help the approximately 30,000 Filipino POGO workers affected by the ban.

“Napakaraming OFWs (overseas Filipino workers). Ayaw namin na ‘di sila (foreign workers) tulungan kasi baka gumanti sa atin (ang ibang bansa),” said DOLE secretary Beinvenido Laguesma last month.

(PM)

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