MANILA, Philippines — An organization of online gaming service providers clarified on Saturday that the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) testing of employees of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) are paid for by the operators and not by taxpayers.
Accredited Service Providers Association of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. spokesperson Margarita Gutierrez said the tests — among the requirements needed for the resumption of Pogo operations — was carried out at “zero cost to the government.”
Earlier this week, photos of dozens of POGO employees lining up to be tested at the clubhouse of BF Homes in Parañaque City went viral on social media. But city administrator Ding Soriano denied that the testing was funded by the city government.
—Nikka G. Valenzuela