Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma announced at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon news briefing that in response to the mass unemployment caused by the government's total ban on Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO), the Department of Labor has quickly formulated a response plan.
Secretary Laguesma stated that this plan, named "PROJECT DAPAT," includes in-depth analysis, job fairs, skill enhancement, retraining, and livelihood assistance for the affected workers.
According to his introduction, this series of measures by the Department of Labor aims to help affected workers quickly adapt to new career paths.
"In the President's State of the Nation Address, we were explicitly authorized and instructed to ensure support for workers affected by the shutdown of the online gaming industry," Laguesma said.
He added that all operational permits for POGO-related businesses expired on December 31, 2024, and the Department of Labor's action plan was immediately implemented.
So far, the Department of Labor has held four to five large job fairs, actively inviting affected workers to participate. Meanwhile, the department has conducted a comprehensive analysis of the nature of work and skills of the workers to provide more precise job opportunities.
Additionally, multiple training events have been organized, introducing how to participate in the livelihood programs of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and providing additional skill training to help workers achieve stable career development in the new year.
The ban has had a significant impact on the POGO industry, but through the Department of Labor's multifaceted strategy, affected workers will have more avenues to reintegrate into the labor market.
