Iloilo Province: No POGO and BPO Support
Date: 2024-07-12 Author: Alex Crawford Categories: EVENTS
In the province of Iloilo, located on the island of Panay in the Philippines, the issue of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) has recently come up. The provincial governor, Arthur Defensor Jr., has categorically stated that there are no POGOs in his region, emphasizing other economic sectors such as BPO (business process outsourcing) that are more preferable to the local community.
The provincial governor stressed that Iloilo Province is not a place for POGO activities. He expressed confidence that the BPO sector contributes to greater job creation and economic development, making it a preferred option for the region.
Cooperation and Regulation
Despite the absence of POGOs, local authorities have expressed a willingness to work with law enforcement to ensure strict enforcement of the law. Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas issued Executive Order No. 94 calling for a joint effort between the city government and the police to investigate any suspicious POGO establishments in the city, stressing the need to maintain law and order.
Recent incidents involving illegal POGO activities and the arrest of a former senator have highlighted the need to tighten security measures and checks to identify foreign nationals working in the province. This has become a challenge for government departments that actively work to prevent criminal activity and maintain the rule of law.
PAGCOR Policy Update
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has decided to ban POGO centers and introduce new regulations to control the remaining licensed electronic gambling operators. This move is aimed at ensuring the purity of the gaming market and compliance with regulatory requirements.
The province of Iloilo continues to focus on economic development through BPO and other sustainable industries, excluding POGOs from its economic landscape. Cooperation between local authorities and the police, as well as strict control and regulation measures, underscore the administrative readiness for good governance and respect for the rule of law in the region.
