Pagcor to act on Pogo ban; 42,000 Filipino workers to be displaced

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) has committed to act on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr’s directive banning the Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) in the country, which will displace an estimated 42,000 Filipino workers. 

Echoing what Marcos said in his third State of the Nation Address (Sona), Pagcor chief Alejandro Tengco said instructions have already been issued to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to help affected workers find new jobs before 2025. 

“Higit kumulang na siguro may mga 42,000 yon [mawawalan ng trabaho] directly yon ang Pilipino, walang foreigners,” Tengco said in an ambush interview after the Sona Monday afternoon.

(More or less 42,000 will lose their jobs, all Filipinos, no foreigners.)

“Tulad ng sinabi ng Pangulo kanina mangyari sigurong minumungkahi ko na makipagugnayan kayo sa DOLE sa ganun ay may skills training program nang sa ganun malagpasan natin yung magiging problema natin,” he added. 

(Like what the President said earlier, I’m suggesting these workers coordinate with DOLE; they have a skills training program so we can overcome this problem.)

Tengco added that Marcos believed the Pogo ban would be better for all Filipinos.  

“I hereby instruct the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation to wind down and cease the operations of POGOs by the end of the year,” Marcos said in his third Sona.