The estimated 15,000 Filipino Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hub workers at the now closed Island Cove Hotel and Resort in Kawit, Cavite will be prioritized in the job fairs organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for employment opportunities.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor ‘Jonvic’ Remulla assured this as the affected workers were gripped with fear for their lost income due to the permanent closure of the POGO hub.
In compliance with the directive of President Marcos, to close down all (POGOs) in the country, Remulla on Tuesday, Dec. 17, personally led other government officials in the inspection of the former POGO hub Island Cove Hotel and Resort.
Previously owned by Remulla’s family, the compound was sold to the real estate developer in 2017 and was reopened as a POGO compound in 2019.
Aside from the 15,000 local workers, Remulla said that 15,000 other Chinese nationals were employed at the Island Cove POGO hub.
Remulla said the POGO hub’s operation in Island Cove started in 2019 and ended in November 2024, a month before the deadline set by the President.
In his first week as DILG Secretary last October, Remulla committed to personally shut down the Island Cove Hotel and Resort which formerly housed POGO operations in compliance to the marching orders of the President.