00:00In the stoppage of the operation of Pogos in the country,
00:06it was not the houses and facilities that were vacated and left behind.
00:11It was the owners who left their homes affected by poverty.
00:18We will talk about that in the continuation of the special report of Salima Refran.
00:23In the rise of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators or POGOs,
00:31including those who have left the real estate sector,
00:34particularly office buildings and properties that are being rented to them.
00:39It is not only the offices that are being rented,
00:42but also condo units, houses, or apartments for Pogo workers to live in.
00:48Nicky is one of those who sold condo units to foreign Pogo workers.
00:53He admitted that they are different in the amount of their rent.
00:58It's easy, more people are coming to rent from you.
01:04It's higher than the standard price of rent.
01:10At the same time, their rent is advanced.
01:13Of course, in business, you want to be here because you are making money.
01:17It's easy money.
01:18In 2019, Pogo workers really got rich.
01:22There are more and more people here.
01:24At the same time, businesses and services for them flourished.
01:32According to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation of Pagcor,
01:36almost 300 Pogo licensees and service providers operated at the same time.
01:42In terms of application, renewal fees, fines, and penalties,
01:46Pagcor earned more than Php 7 billion from 2016 to 2022.
01:52According to DOLE, or Department of Labor and Employment,
01:55in 2019, Pogo workers earned Php 118,000.
02:00Almost Php 100,000 from them, foreign workers.
02:04That's why Pogo workers are making a lot of money.
02:12But when the involvement of some Pogos in illegal activities and human trafficking came to an end,
02:18the happy days of Pogo in the Philippines came to an end.
02:22All Pogos are banned.
02:29And in Pogo Van, which was ordered by President Marcos,
02:32Pogo workers also lost their jobs.
02:35That's a big problem for real estate broker, Kling.
02:39She held more than 100 units that were vacant.
02:43Those 100 units are still being added.
02:46Even if the price of our rent is low, there are still no takers.
02:52In other complexes, there are already foreclosed units.
02:54They can't pay anymore.
02:55And the developers are already withdrawing the units.
03:00According to the real estate consultancy firm, Lechu Property Consultants,
03:041,000,000 sq.m. office space will be vacant for the lease of Pogos.
03:10They also estimate that more than 1,000,000 sq.m. will also be taken from small tenants
03:15who are renting their condo units or residential property.
03:19Most Filipinos, the moment they earn money, they will buy a condo for rent.
03:26Before, the rent there was Php 20,000-30,000.
03:30Now, Php 8,000 is still vacant.
03:35If we include other related services,
03:39it will be hard for businessmen and ordinary employees to lose.
03:44Our estimate is almost Php 200 billion.
03:49Php 200 billion of money that comes out of the Pogo Industry
03:55and then every year, about another Php 120 billion.
04:00Maybe it's not the end of their business,
04:03to have Pogo operations or Pogo workers leave.
04:10If you are a businessman, why would you choose this
04:14when there are a lot of injured people?
04:17Meanwhile, you can go to a good business
04:21where you earn money and you are happy because you know
04:25that what you earn comes from a good business.
04:28For SGMA Integrated News, Salima Refrain,
04:31Ekat Utok, 24 Hours.
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