Foreign POGO workers have been given a deadline of September 24th to voluntarily leave the Philippines or face deportation.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced on Monday that its order for foreign Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) workers to depart the country offers no exemptions, even for those who have families and children in the Philippines.
According to BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval, there is no room for adjustments in the procedure; foreign workers must leave the country. Sandoval explained that foreign workers cannot alter their stay status to remain in the Philippines.
She stated that the limitation on their stay is due to the downgraded operations of their companies. They cannot extend their stay or convert it to any other type of visa.
Sandoval also mentioned that Commissioner Norman Tansingco has requested a meeting with other visa-issuing agencies to standardize actions in handling foreign workers. This move aims to ensure a consistent approach across relevant departments.
The BI has instructed approximately 20,000 foreign workers, the majority of whom are Chinese nationals, to leave the Philippines following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s announcement of a total ban on POGO and internet gaming licensee operations during his third State of the Nation Address.
The President also directed the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to end POGO operations by the end of the year.
