Survey shows most Filipinos think Pogo operations harmful to PH, says Gatchalian

ILE PHOTO: Senator Sherwin Gatchalian. Photo from Senate PRIB

MANILA, Philippines — For most Filipinos surveyed by Pulse Asia, the presence of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos) in the Philippines is harmful to the country.

The survey result conducted from  November 27 to December 1, 2022, was disclosed on Thursday by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, who is leading the probe on the Pogo industry as head of the Senate committee on ways and means.

Gatchalian, in a text message, said his office did not commission the poll, but he included a rider in the regular Pulse Asia survey. When asked about the survey, the poll firm has yet to respond to INQUIRER.net.

According to the senator, in a statement, 1,200 survey respondents were asked about their opinion on whether Pogos are beneficial or harmful, and 58 percent of them think it is harmful to the country.

The overall sentiment is reflected across location and class, Gatchalian’s statement said, still citing the Pulse Asia survey.

Regarding location, 61% of respondents in the National Capital Region (NCR), 55% in Luzon, 53% in Visayas, and 67% in Mindanao believe POGO operations in the country are harmful.

In terms of social class, the same sentiment is felt by 70% of respondents in the ABC class, 58% in the D class, and 44% in the E class.

Gatchalian said respondents who said they believe the Pogo industry is “injurious” to the country cited the main reasons for their response: the proliferation of vices  67%); increase in Pogo-related crime incidents involving Chinese nationals (57%); tax evasion of Pogos and increasing number of Chinese nationals employed by Pogos (both with 43%); no additional opportunities given to Filipinos (33%); and increasing cost of rent, residential, or business properties with 22%.

By contrast, he said, only 19% of respondents said Pogos are beneficial.

“The survey results are an important piece of data that we will take into consideration as the data represents the sentiments of our people and provides relevant insights on the issue at hand,” Gatchalian said.

“Worth noting is that only 12% of respondents in the NCR, where a significant number of Pogos operate, said the industry is beneficial to the country while 20% of respondents in Luzon, 26% in the Visayas, and 17% in Mindanao also share the same view.”

In terms of class, the 19% of total respondents who said Pogos are beneficial is broken down into 10% in the ABC class, 20% in the D class, and 27% in the E class, according to the survey.

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