Over 20,000 foreign workers of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) are still in the country, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Monday, Dec. 2.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado reminded that foreign POGO workers who are still in the country should leave by the end of this year.
Viado warned that “those who fail to leave before the deadline will be subjected to deportation proceedings and will be blacklisted.”
Thus, he advised the POGO foreign workers "to prepare the needed travel arrangements promptly."
The BI said that as of Nov. 7, 2024, “a total of 21,757 foreign nationals associated with POGO operations had voluntarily downgraded their work visas to temporary visitors visas.”
“Out of the approved applications for downgrading, 10,821 foreign nationals have since left the country," it said.
During his July 22 State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Marcos declared that all POGOs in the country should cease operations by the end of the year.