DOLE to review Alien Employment Permits of foreign POGO workers

The Alien Employment Permits (AEPs) of foreigners working in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) firms may be revoked should they be found engaging in illegal activities, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Thursday.

This developed after senators, during the Senate plenary deliberations on the DOLE’s proposed 2024 budget, urged the labor agency to review the AEPs of 42,000 foreign POGO workers in the country. 

“Totoo po, base sa taya namin, meron pong mahigit na 42,000 na mga POGO-related workers ang nabigyan po ng AEPs,” said DOLE Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez in PTV-4’s Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.

(It’s true, based on our records, more than 42,000 POGO-related workers have been issued AEPs.)

“Sa direktiba po ng aming kalihim, iniimbestigahan na po namin kung kailangan na ba o dapat na bang makansela o ma-revoke 'yung mga AEPs na naibigay namin sa kanila,” he said. 

(As directed by our secretary, we are now investigating if we need to cancel or revoke their AEPs.)

Benavidez said foreign POGO workers proven to be involved in illegal activities may have their AEPs canceled or revoked.

“Initially, ang paga-apply po kasi ng AEP, this is more on the documentary requirements, kung sila po ay nakapag-submit nung kinakailangan na dokumento, ito ay ma-aapprove-an ng aming mga regional offices,” Benavidez explained.

(Initially, it is more of a documentary requirement when applying for an AEP. We issue them an AEP if they submit the proper requirements and these are approved by our regional offices.)

“Kung ang mga POGO workers na nabigyan po namin dati ng AEP ay gumagawa ng mga illegal activities, ito po ang kanila pong mga AEP ay subject to revocation or cancellation,” he added.

(If POGO workers with AEP are found to be involved in illegal activities, their AEP may be subject to revocation or cancellation.)

Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, who defended the agency’s budget, said 42,409 out of 60,541 AEPs were issued to foreign workers who work for “legal” POGOs.

Legarda said the DOLE should revoke the work permits of foreign workers if it is found that they are working for illegal POGOs. Foreigners only need to pay P12,000 each for their AEP application.