The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has approved a PHP50 million ($877,000) grant to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to fund the deportation of foreign workers employed by illegal offshore gaming operators (POGOs).
The funding was formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement signed on Monday, June 30th, at the PAGCOR Executive Office in Pasay City. The amount will be released in two tranches of PHP25 million ($438,500) each, with the first tranche disbursed during the ceremonial signing.
The grant comes as the Philippines has moved to wind down all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) operations by the end of 2024, following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive last year.
The government’s decision to ban POGOs has been cited as a significant factor in the Philippines’ successful exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) “grey list” in February 2025. This delisting indicates the country’s improved measures against money laundering and terrorism financing, a key benefit for its financial standing and international reputation.
While the statement did not specify the number of POGO workers requiring deportation, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) Executive Director Gilberto Cruz reported in mid-June that approximately 4,000 POGO workers had been deported this year, with more deportations planned.
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said the grant will help cover repatriation expenses for illegal POGO workers currently held at the BI Warden Facility and Protection Unit.
“These individuals are unable to return to their home countries because they cannot afford a plane ticket,” Tengco stated. “This grant will ensure they receive assistance in accordance with international laws and humanitarian considerations.”
Tengco emphasized that the funding underscores PAGCOR’s commitment to maintaining a clean and legitimate gaming industry in the Philippines.
“PAGCOR has been continuously collaborating with the BI in enforcing the government’s ban on offshore gaming operations,” he said. “This inter-agency effort is not just about sending people home; it also ensures that only legitimate gaming operations are allowed in our country.”
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado highlighted the complexity of the current security environment, stating that fast-tracking deportation cases of illegal POGO workers will help ensure safer communities for Filipinos. “The BI’s partnership with PAGCOR is proof that our national government has the interest of the Filipinos at heart,” he said.
