By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Robin Padilla has filed a resolution calling for an investigation into the government’s plans for Filipino workers affected by the closure of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
“Considering the thousands of Filipino workers who will be adversely affected by the impending closure of POGO operations in the country, the public has the right to be informed of the planned actions and the programs to be implemented by the government to address this issue,” Padilla stated in Senate Resolution No. 1091.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has previously banned all POGOs in the country and ordered the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) to wind down their operations by the end of this year.
The President also directed the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to collaborate with the country’s economic managers to recommend alternative jobs for Filipinos who will be displaced by the POGO ban.
“According to Pagcor chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco, there are some 31,000 direct POGO employees and more than 9,000 workers in special business process outsourcing who will be displaced by the closure of POGOs,” Padilla noted.
The Senate continues its investigation into illegal POGOs in Porac, Pampanga, and Bamban, Tarlac.
(ia/mnm)
