Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman Alejandro Tengco called for the retention of business process outsourcing (BPO) companies that provide services to gaming companies, saying these companies "are not directly involved in gambling and can save thousands of Filipino jobs."
According to Philippine news reports, Tengco has made its proposal to "retain the operation of 12 special BPO companies" to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has ordered the complete closure of all Philippine offshore gaming operators by the end of 2024 (POGO), including 43 Internet Gaming Licensees (IGL) under PAGCOR.
"It's such a shame. I deeply regret it. But if they say this is going to be used as a cover to cover up IGL, then I will respect that and abide by it," Tengco said. Six more companies are applying for special BPO licenses, he added.
The above-mentioned 12 special BPO companies have been servicing gaming companies in Australia, Canada, Europe and the United States, among others, and currently employ more than 9,000 Filipino workers.
In response to the possibility that many local workers will lose their jobs, the Philippine President has asked government agencies to assist those affected.
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma and National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan had earlier mentioned that a worker transition program would be implemented to assist affected local Filipino employees.
In addition to job losses, PAGCOR has raised other concerns about the POGO ban, including the loss of state revenue and the fact that the ban makes tracking existing POGOs more difficult.
