BI: No leeway for foreign POGO workers with families, kids in PH

MANILA – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Monday said its order for foreign Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) workers to leave has no exemptions, even for those who already have families and children in the Philippines.

"As of now, we do not have room for any adjustments in the procedure. They would have to leave the country," BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing.

Sandoval added that foreign workers cannot change the status of their stay for them to remain in the country.

"This is the limitation of their stay here. Since (the operations of their companies) have been downgraded, they would have to leave the country. They could no longer extend further. They could no longer convert it to any other type of visa," Sandoval said.

She added that Commissioner Norman Tansingco had also requested a meeting with other visa-issuing agencies to standardize their actions on dealing with foreign workers.

Sandoval said around 20,000 foreign workers, majority of whom are Chinese nationals, must leave 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 ordered the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation to cease operations of POGOs by the end of the year.

The BI gave foreign POGO workers until Sept. 24 to voluntarily leave the country or face deportation. (PNA)