The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry joins other business and socio-civic organizations supporting the phaseout of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country.
Consul Enunina V. Mangio, PCCI President, said these POGOs, some of which were issued licenses by the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), pose immense social threats as they were exploited as breeding grounds for crime, scams, and human rights violations,” Mangio added.
While PCCI supports the stoppage of POGO operations in the Philippines, it cautioned against a haphazard, indiscriminate and sudden closure of all POGOs in the country because of the possible massive loss of jobs and related displacement of many businesses and industries, from food services to administrative support and transport services.
Furthermore, PCCI is concerned over the wide-ranging impact on other sectors especially the commercial property sector as many investors constructed office buildings to house the POGOs. Relatedly, PCCI is worried over the spillover effects of the POGO closures on the financial institutions who funded new office buildings to accommodate the POGOs and the collateral damages for ancillary industries such as real estate and communication services.
“We support a tiered phaseout of POGO operations in the country. First, we call for the immediate closure of all POGOs operating illegally and without operating licenses. Second, we call on PAGCOR and other government agencies involved in regulating the POGO business including the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Immigration to carefully review the mandates from licenses, work licenses and tax obligations of the POGO operators,” the PCCI leader said. She added that PAGCOR and other government agencies create credible alternative employment opportunities for those who will be affected by the POGO closures.
“We hence enjoin the national government and PAGCOR to carefully manage the POGO phaseout or ban to avoid serious economic displacement,” Mangio stressed.
