Joy Belmonte issues notices of violation vs POGO hubs in Eastwood

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte issued notices of violation against several Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hubs in the Libis district's Eastwood City after Friday's surprise inspection revealed alleged infractions.

The POGO hubs which received notices were Omniworld Enterprise Inc., Singtech Enterprise Inc., and Great Empire Gaming and Amusement Corp. all of which failed to present the necessary clearances required to conduct business in QC.

Among the documents the POGO failed to produce were locational clearances, sanitary permits, environmental clearances, occupational permits of its employees, according to a Saturday statement from Belmonte's office.

The POGO hubs served with violation notices were given a 15-day grace period to comply with the business permit requirements of the Quezon City government.

Belmonte had led the surprise inspection, which was aimed at ensuring that POGO centers operating in the city complied with local requirements and ancillary clearances for business.

“While we welcome the business locators in our city, we want to ensure that our rules and regulations are followed to the letter. Otherwise, you will have to face the consequences of non-compliance,” Belmonte said.

The POGO establishments, for their part, welcomed the chance to get their businesses in order and promised to comply with the needed requirements.

While she hoped to make Quezon City a preferred investment and business destination, Belmonte said rules and regulation processes needed to be complied with.

“Hindi natin maaaring isantabi o di kaya’y palusutin ang mga patakaran ng lungsod dahil mahuhuli at mahuhuli namin kayo,” she warned. — John Ted Cordero/DVM, GMA News