by Leila B. Salaverria, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 31 Oct 2020
Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) in the Subic Freeport are set to close down because of the economic difficulties brought about by the new coronavirus pandemic, according to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chair Wilma Eisma.
The free port has four Pogo operations and only one has closed down, but “the owners of the remaining Pogos have said that they are also in the process of winding down,” Eisma said at an online briefing on Friday.
The SBMA is coordinating with the Bureau of Immigration for the cancellation of the Pogo workers’ visas because they would need to return to China or their country of origin, she said.
The workers could only stay in the Philippines if they are able to find new employment that would support their visa sponsorship, she added.
According to her, the impending closure of the gaming firms is an indication that the global economy has not yet recovered from the impact of COVID-19.
“Actually, it’s saddening in a way, because the Pogo closure is a signal that the economy is not yet there. And I would think [the] economy not just in the Philippines but also worldwide because the Pogo clients are not in the Philippines, but outside of it,” she said.
Eisma also said that aside from Pogo operations, other companies in Subic have been affected by the pandemic and are currently retrenching workers.
But there have also been new businesses coming in, she added, noting that she recently approved the entry of a company that would manufacture masks.
“If we have bad news, we also have a bit of good news because there are still investments coming into Subic,” she said.
So far, at least five Pogos have had their licenses canceled, bringing down the number of registered Pogos from 60 at the start of the year to 55, as of Sept. 8, amid stricter quarantine and tax rules.
The licenses of five other Pogos have also been suspended.
Only 29 were given authority to resume operations after paying the correct taxes and complying with health protocols. —WITH A REPORT FROM INQUIRER RESEARCH
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
#Report Corruption #SearchPosts #TakePicturesVideos
October –
Monthly Observances:
Industry and Commerce Safety Month
National Statistics Month
Local Government Month
Consumer Welfare Month
Cooperative Month
National Quality and Productivity Improvement Month
National Health and Wellness Tourism Month
National Indigenous Peoples Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Elderly Filipino Week
Week 2: National Health Education Week
Local Government Week
National Mental Health Week
October 17-23:
National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty
October 18 – 24:
United Nations Week
Last Week:
Nurses’ Week
Consumers’ Protection Week
Week of the 4th Sunday:
Barrio Farmers’ Week
Daily Observances:
First Monday (Oct 4): Universal Children’s Day i
n the Philippines
Oct 5: National Teachers’ Day
Oct 10: Local Government Day
Third Thursday (Oct 14): Conflict Resolution Day
Oct 21: Tenants’ Emancipation day
Oct 24: United Nations Day
Oct 29: National Indigenous People’s Thanksgiving Day
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
