More POGO firms in Subic to close down due to COVID-19 crisis -SBMA

More Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in Subic will be shutting down for good amid the COVID-19 crisis, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chairperson and administrator Wilma Eisma said Friday.

Eisma said one of the four POGO firms in Subic had ceased operations. The rest of the operators are “in the process of winding down,” she added.

“Nakakalungkot in a way, because the POGO closure is a signal that the economy is not yet there,” Eisma said at the Laging Handa briefing.

“So, kung kailangan magsara noong POGO which supports the BPO-POGO here in Subic, ibig pong sabihin, ang economy outside where POGO is being serviced is also going down.”

The government allowed the POGO industry to resume operations in May provided that they settle their unpaid taxes with the Bureau of Internal Revenue and follow protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Majority of POGO workers are Chinese nationals.

“We are now in close cooperation with the Bureau of Immigration sapagkat ang mga visa po ng mga POGO workers na ito ay kinakailangan ma-cancel sapagkat kailangan po silang bumalik sa China or kung saan man po silang bayan nanggaling, unless makakuha na po sila ng bagong employment which will support their visa sponsorship,” Eisma said.

Despite the exodus of POGO firms, Eisma admitted that the pandemic also created new business opportunities.

She said the SBMA recently approved the establishment of a manufacturing facility for face masks.

“So, kung maaaring may bad news po, mayroon din po tayong kaunting good news sapagkat mayroon pa rin pong dumadating na investments dito sa Subic,” Eisma said.—AOL, GMA News