00:00Although the possibility is still there for such ventures to go even more clandestine,
00:05the government is willing to take that chance and standing pat on the decision to ban all
00:10Pogos before year end.
00:12Thus, by December 15, all establishments of such nature should cease operations as PAC
00:17Gore will no longer issue Pogo licenses.
00:20PTV's Kenneth Paciente has the full details.
00:25During December 15, all licenses of Pogos in the country will be cancelled.
00:30This was confirmed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation or PAG Corp following
00:34the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during his 3rd State of the Nation Address.
00:39In a press briefing at Malacanang earlier today, PAG Corp Chairman Alejandro Tenco stated
00:44that they won't wait until the end of the year to end the operation of Pogos in the
00:48country.
00:49Instead, the government will accelerate the crackdown on these operations.
00:54Since the President announced the termination of Pogo operations, the number of Pogos in
00:58the Philippines has quickly dropped from 300 to just 60.
01:01However, government agencies have not ruled out the possibility that guerrilla operations
01:27or secret Pogo activities may spread.
01:31The government and law enforcement agencies are strictly monitoring this issue.
01:59According to the DILG, out of the 350,000-plus visas issued earlier for Pogo workers, 23,000
02:25have been deported while over 6,000 remained in the country.
02:29Of these, more than 5,000 have had their visas downgraded to tourist status.
02:35Authorities are all set to close down the Pogo hub in Island Cove, Cavite on the 15th.
02:39The government reiterated the termination of Pogo operations will have no negative impact
02:44on the country's economy.
02:45The Department of Labor and Employment is also ready to hold job employment caravans
02:49for affected Pogo employees.
02:52For PTV Manila, Kenneth Paciente, Balitang Pambansang.
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