Gatchalian: Survey shows majority of Filipinos believe POGOs harmful to PH
Surveys show that majority of Filipinos believe that the presence of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country is harmful to the Philippines, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said on Thursday, January 26.
Gatchalian cited a survey conducted by Pulse Asia from November 27 to December 1, 2022, with 1,200 respondents who are aware of POGO operations.
Based on the survey, 58 percent of the respondents say they believe that POGO operations in the country is harmful. The overall sentiment is reflected across location and class.
In terms of location, 61 percent of respondents are from the National Capital Region, 55 percent are in Luzon, 53 percent in Visayas, and 67 percent in Mindanao believe POGO operations in the country are harmful.
In terms of social class, the same sentiment is felt by 70 percent of respondents in the ABC class, 58 percent in the D class, and 44 percent in the E class.
Respondents who said they believe the POGO industry is injurious to the country cited proliferation of vices as their response, with a total of 67 percent citing this as the main reason.
Others responded that the increase in POGO-related crime incidents involving Chinese nationals with 57 percent of the respondents citing this; tax evasion of POGOs, 43 percent; increasing number of Chinese nationals employed by POGOs, also with 43 percent; no additional opportunities given to Filipinos, at 33 percent; and increasing cost of rent, residential, or business properties with 22 percent.
Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, said the Pulse Asia survey results would be taken into consideration as they draft the committee report on the panel’s investigation into the economic benefits and social costs of POGO operations in the country and including their tax liabilities.
“The survey results are an important piece of data that we will take into consideration as the data represents the sentiments of our people and provides relevant insights on the issue at hand,” Gatchalian said.
Based on the survey, only 19 percent of the respondents said POGOs are beneficial.