Philippines Profiles POGO Workers Amid Job Loss Uncertainty

In an atmosphere of growing uncertainty for workers in the Philippines, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has set its sights on Filipino employees in the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) sector. With a government mandate to cease all POGO operations by the end of this year, as directed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., many workers are bracing themselves for a significant upheaval in their professional lives.

Patrick Patriwirawan Jr., DOLE’s Bureau of Local Employment director, reveals that 27,747 of the approximately 40,692 POGO employees have already been profiled. The information, sourced from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (PAGCOR), highlights the immense scale of the upcoming job losses. This pre-emptive profiling encompasses various regions, with significant numbers coming from Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Central Luzon (Region III), and Central Visayas (Region VII).

The initiative underscores the department’s strategic approach to labor market disruptions. During a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing, Patriwirawan elaborated that profiling is the first step in a broader framework aimed at mitigating the impact of such economic shocks. He emphasized that DOLE’s proactive stance not only maps out the scope of job losses but also facilitates the provision of support services to displaced employees.

These endeavors are vital in regions like Metro Manila, where the bulk of POGO workers operate and earn between PHP16,000 to PHP22,000 monthly. Through public employment service offices across the country, DOLE aims to provide a lifeline to those facing an uncertain future.

The cessation of POGO operations marks a pivotal shift, affecting not just the gaming industry’s local landscape but also touching real estate and rental markets, previously buoyed by demand from this sector. This systemic pause thus raises broader questions about economic resilience and the future of employment in the Philippines.

As the nation prepares for this transformative phase, the government’s actions in profiling and supporting affected workers will be crucial in shaping the workforce’s adaptability and resilience in the face of an evolving economic landscape.