Job seekers flock to the mega job fair for displaced (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations) POGO and (Internet Gaming Licensed) IGL workers at the Ayala Malls activity center at the circuit in Ayala in Makati City on October 10, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) told displaced Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) workers to reach out to their agency if they were still willing to look for jobs, saying they are interested to to assist them should they need further help. 

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said at least 100 former POGO employees were employed on the spot during their recent livelihood programs. 

“We continue to reach out dahil batay nga po sa tala, mahigit na… humigit-kumulang mga 40,000 iyong directly affected na mga IGL (internet gambling licensee) workers dahil doon sa pagsasara,” Laguesma said in a Saturday news forum. 

Salary rate and the type of job available are among their primary considerations, according to the labor chief.

DOLE says programs in place to assist workers displaced by POGO ban 

“Karamihan po kasi ng nao-offer na trabaho sa jobs fair, iyong regular entry level," he explained. 

He added that some workers could not approach DOLE since they do not know anyone, as some instead bank on the “padrino system.” But Laguesma said their offices are open for livelihood opportunities. 

“Hindi naman po kailangan na mayroong padrino,” said the labor chief. “Bukas po ang tanggapan ng Department of Labor and Employment at kabahagi po namin ang Public Employment Service Offices ng bawat local government unit at matibay po iyong aming ugnayan sa kanila dahil sila po ay under technical supervision naman sa mga gawain nila."

Almost 27,000 POGO workers profiled by DOLE 

“Kina-capacitate po namin iyong mga staff ng Public Employment Service Offices para nang sa ganoon mapalawak pa namin ang maaabot ng mga programa ng Department of Labor and Employment,” he added. 

At least 40,000 workers were directly affected by the closure of POGOs, which are mostly from the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon and the Central Visayas regions, data from DOLE showed.

Marcos issues EO officially banning POGOs 

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. banned POGOs last year after these were linked to illegal activities like kidnapping, online scams, human trafficking and even torture.

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