POGO service providers deny illegal clinics for COVID-19 treatments

There are no illegal clinics catering to employees of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) suspected to have the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Accredited Service Providers Association of PAGCOR (APSAP) claimed Wednesday.

In a statement, APSAP spokesperson Margarita Gutierrez said legitimate POGO service providers only have company clinics -- allowed and permitted by the law -- within their establishments.

"This is not similar to the care and confinement administered by hospitals. In addition, these clinics are well aware and equipped with the necessary safeguards and health protocols to battle against COVID-19," she said.

To recall, the government allowed POGOs to resume operations earlier than other businesses, even amid the strict quarantine protocols implemented due to the pandemic, provided that only 30% of the total workforce will be allowed to report to work.

Just last month, police uncovered an "underground" hospital in Pampanga, said to be catering to Chinese patients who tested positive for COVID-19. Some have speculated that the Chinese nationals work for POGOs.

The Clark Development Corp. has since said that the management of Fontana Leisure Park will be held liable for such operations.

Malacañang also expressed its alarm over the issue, and the Bureau of Immigration said it will coordinate with other authorities to track down the individuals who sought treatment.

ASPAP's Gutierrez noted that the POGO industry is not limited to Chinese.

"Actually, more on Europe if I’m not mistaken... Based on experience and personal knowledge, I can say that there are a lot of Europeans involved and we’re not limited to Chinese workers," she said.

"We also have foreign workers from Vietnam, Thailand, and Taiwan," she added.

In the same statement, ASPAP said its members have shouldered the costs for testing for the coronavirus, not the government.

"Time and again, we've been telling people that the government is not shouldering the costs of tests for POGO workers," said Gutierrez.

"In fact, ASPAP and other service providers are the ones providing free testing for Filipino workers and even for their families," added Gutierrez.

She was responding to reports that the Philippine government shouldered the cost for COVID-19 testing of POGO employees.

"There is really no truth behind those allegations," she claimed. -MDM, GMA News