NEDA chief Balisacan backs proposed POGO ban

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has expressed support for the ban on Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGO) despite a potential revenue loss amounting to P20 billion.

“It may be a big number, but the cost and particularly social cost of POGOs are quite high," NEDA Sec. Aresenio Balisacan said in Ivan Mayrina's rerport on "24 Oras."

"We are trying to position our country as a legitimate place for business where we are trying to attract investors to come, tourists to come and so the least that we want is, to have a reputation. Nandito iyong mga criminals (the criminals are still here)," he added.

Balisacan said the Marcos administration has yet to discuss the calls to ban POGO. 

Should the country ban POGOs, Balisacan said the country’s revenue can be recovered in other ways that are aligned with the government’s direction like attracting investors to create quality jobs.

“If we expand business, then we generate more revenues from income taxes, corporate taxes. If we import some equipment, we also derive tariffs, and revenues there," Balisacan said.

"So, if you put all this together there should be more than what you lost in the POGO,” he added.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation has said the country might see a loss of revenue amounting to P20 billion.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is preparing to help at least 22,000 POGO workers who will lose their jobs should the total ban be implemented.  

“Anticipating na baka magkaroon ng ganoon klaseng desisyon, then workers would have the option to look at, ano iyong mga available sa kaniya in terms of employment, job facilitation and also livelihood programs,” DOLE Bienvenido Laguesma said.

(We are anticipating that there might be such a decision. Then, workers would have the option to look at available terms of employment, job facilitation, and also livelihood programs.)

Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, and Senator Loren Legarda have expressed their support for the possible ban on illegal POGOs. —Vince Ferreras/NB, GMA Integrated News