POGO ban to affect 19K Filipinos in NCR, DOLE says

More than 19,000 Filipino workers employed in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) firms in the National Capital Region (NCR) will be affected by an upcoming ban, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

As of September 16, DOLE-NCR Assistant Regional Director Jude Thomas Trayvilla said the agency profiled a total of 19, 341 Filipino employees working under 48 internet gaming licensees (IGLs) in the capital region. 

Most of the workers were earning wages ranging from P16,000 to P22,000 and were employed under administrative tasks, encoding, HR, liaison, marketing, finance, IT, housekeeping, as well as drivers and security guards. 

“More than 19,000 ang maapektuhan nito sa buong NCR at halos lahat naman ng companies na affected ay nakapag submit ng listahan,” said Trayvilla at the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on Tuesday. 

(More than 19,000 people will be affected by this in the entire NCR, and almost all of the affected companies have submitted their lists.)

“As of now, na-map na kung saan-saan itong mga empleyado in cooperation with our Public Employment Services Offices ng mga LGUs,” he said.

(As of now, we have mapped out the locations of these employees in cooperation with our Public Employment Services Offices in the local government units.)

Last week, the DOLE reiterated it is “ready” to extend assistance to Filipino workers which will be displaced by the POGO ban. 

Among the interventions the DOLE is eyeing to provide the affected employees include the TUPAD program, livelihood projects, and a specialized job fair, Trayvilla added. 

The job fair will be conducted on October 10, 2024 at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Pasay City. At least 70 employers are expected to participate in the event. 

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., during his third State of the Nation Address, announced the ban on all POGOs in the country. —Sundy Locus/ VAL, GMA Integrated News