Former Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate

Belated, but necessary. 

That's how former Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate described President Marcos' issuance of Executive Order (EO) No. 74, which bans Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs).

"The Marcos Jr. administration's decision to ban POGOs is a belated but necessary step to protect our national interests. These operations have been breeding grounds for various crimes including human trafficking, prostitution, and money laundering that have severely damaged our social fabric," Zarate said in a statement Saturday, Nov. 9.

He noted that the government must now focus on providing comprehensive assistance to displaced workers, both Filipino and foreign nationals who have been victims of trafficking.

"While we welcome this ban, the government must ensure that affected workers are not left in limbo. We need a clear transition program that includes immediate financial assistance, job placement, and skills training. Many of these workers are victims themselves of exploitative labor practices," Zarate explained.

"They should also undergo psychological debriefing because they were exposed to criminal activities and they must be re-oriented that what the POGOs did were wrong and harmful to our people," he said.

"More importantly, this should serve as a wake-up call for the government to pursue genuine national industrialization instead of relying on dubious industries like POGOs. We need sustainable economic policies that prioritize local industries and protect Filipino workers," Zarate added.

The former legislator also called for a thorough investigation of government officials who may have enabled or profited from POGO operations during their peak. The Marcos government should also not resurrect POGOs using other name or scheme, he said.

"The investigation should not stop with the ban. We must hold accountable those who allowed these criminal operations to flourish at the expense of our people and national sovereignty," Zarate concluded.