There will be no extension of the Oct. 15 deadline in the downgrading of the work visas of foreigners working for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Monday, Sept. 30.
"We will ensure that the orders of the President are implemented swiftly and efficiently,” said BI Officer-in-Charge Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado.
President Marcos had declared during his July 22 State of the Nation Address (SONA) that all POGO operations should cease by the end 2024.
Viado said the non-extension of the Oct. 15 deadline was already confirmed during a meeting held on Monday by the BI and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) with representatives of POGO companies.
"During the briefing, the BI said that it may conduct implementation days for POGO companies, where we will implement their downgraded visa status and issue exit clearances on-the-spot,” Viado said.
He said that Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) representatives will also be present during these service days to accept surrendered Alien Employment Permits from POGO workers.
“Visa downgrading allows foreign nationals to revert their status from a work visa to a temporary visitor visa, thereby enabling them to remain legally in the Philippines for 59 days while winding down their affairs,” the BI explained.
The bureau has assured that “the procedures for visa downgrading have been simplified, leaving no excuse for foreign POGO workers to delay compliance.”
“Workers who fail to leave the country by Dec. 31, 2024, will face deportation proceedings and be blacklisted from re-entering the Philippines,” it warned.