POGO foreign workers are given until October 15 to exit the Philippines

- POGO foreign workers were given until October 15 to leave the Philippines

- This was ordered by Justice Undersecretary Nicky Ty today, Friday, September 20, 2024

- Ty said that starting October 16, the 9G visas of POGO foreign workers will be downgraded to just tourist visas

- The Justice Undersecretary also added that after the visa downgrade, they should leave the country until the end of the year

POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) foreign workers were given until October 15 to exit the Philippines.

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The order was issued by Justice Undersecretary Nicky Ty today, Friday, September 20, 2024.

“Ang napagkasunduan ay bibigyan ang mga manggagawa na ito hanggang October 15 na voluntarily mag-depart sa Pilipinas (We agreed that these workers will be given until October 15 to leave),” Ty said on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.

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In a report by GMA News Online, Ty also said that the foreign workers's visas will be downgraded from 9G to tourist.

“Tapos kung hindi pa sila makaalis pagkatapos ng panahon na iyon ay mas kikilos na ang pamahalaan, ano? Doon na papasok 'yung ibang mga paraan natin katulad ng deportation,” Ty said.

Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), now called Internet Gaming Licensees (IGL), provide online betting services mainly to foreign markets, especially China. They started in 2003 and were regulated by the government since 2016, bringing in large revenues. However, in July 2024, President Bongbong Marcos announced a ban on POGOs. This marked a significant shift in the country's online betting industry.

In a previous report by KAMI, President Bongbong Marcos, in what many perceive as a bold and popular move, has declared a total ban on all POGO operations. The president also ordered the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation or PAGCOR to wind down and cease the operations of POGOs by the end of the year. It can be recalled that PAGCOR started granting POGO licenses way back in 2016 after the government agency issued its Rules and Regulatons on August 26 of that year. PBBM then pointed out the main reason why he is issuing today the order on a total ban of PGO operations.

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Additionally, Sen. Risa Hontiveros took to X and expressed her thoughts on PBBM banning POGOs. The senator reposted a news article about the decision of PBBM to totally prohibit them from the country. She called the move as a victory for the Philippines. Aside from Hontiveros, former senator Kiko Pangilinan also took to social media to thank the president for his deed.

Source: KAMI.com.gh