OFFSHORE GAMING HUB IN CAVITE OFFICIALLY CLOSED -- PAGCOR
Wed| 12.18.2024 | 6:40 PM
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) said all offshore gaming operations at Island Cove in Kawit, Cavite have been shut down in compliance with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to halt all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) activities nationwide.
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) Executive Director Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz and Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil oversaw the formal closure of the POGO hub at Island Cove on December 17.
Authorities padlock a building at Island Cove in Cavite which was formerly used by an offshore gaming firm following an inspection of the site to determine whether operations in the hub have ceased.
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco (right) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla (left) post a "CLOSED" sign in one of the buildings formerly used by an offshore gaming company at Island Cove in Kawit, Cavite.
The POGO facility, situated in a 33-hectare property, was the largest of its kind in the Philippines and at its peak employed 30,000 workers of whom half were Filipinos.
The compound features 57 buildings, including employee dormitories, gaming hubs, cafés, grocery stores, clinics, restaurants, spas and beauty salons, among others.
“Anybody can now see that offshore gaming operations here have ceased completely,” Chairman Tengco said.
The closure of the hub is part of a broader initiative to phase out POGO operations across the country as mandated by Executive Order No. 74 which was issued to implement President Marcos’ order to ban all POGOs during his State of the Nation Address.
Mr. Tengco also said all other remaining legitimate offshore gaming operators have voluntarily submitted letters to PAGCOR between late November and early December indicating their intent to shut down their operations.
“These companies have also coordinated with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to downgrade the employment visas of their workers, ensuring a smooth transition,” the PAGCOR chief explained.
Some of the buildings at Island Cove in Kawit, Cavite which were previously occupied by offshore gaming companies.
A "CLOSED" sign is posted on the door of one of the buildings once utilized by offshore gaming firms in Cavite.Chairman Tengco noted that approximately 40,000 workers have been impacted by the closure of offshore gaming operations nationwide.
The DOLE, the Department of Trade and Industry, and other agencies are providing support through livelihood packages, job caravans, and zero-interest loans for displaced employees.
The PAGCOR chief said henceforth, continued operation of illegal POGOs will now be the subject of law enforcement operations including by the PAOCC and the PNP.
“These illegal operators have moved to smaller areas, but the government remains resolute in tracking them down,” Mr. Tengco said, citing recent crackdowns in Lapu-Lapu City and Davao del Norte.
When asked about the future of Island Cove, Chairman Tengco clarified that the property is privately owned and it is up to the owners to decide what to do with the buildings.
“They have complied with the President’s directive, and there are no violations here,” he added.
Island Cove was operated by Oriental Gaming Corporation which had significantly scaled back operations over the past year, culminating in the complete cessation of activities this month.