Foreign workers of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) should leave on or before Dec. 31 if some of them desire to return and see their children and their Filipino spouses, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Monday, Dec. 23.
The advise was given by the BI through its Spokesperson Dana Sandoval during an interview on PTV’s Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.
“Paulit-ulit natin sinasabi walang extension ang Dec. 31 deadline (We have repeatedly said that the Dec. 31 deadline will not be extended),” Sandoval said.
To those who will comply with the Dec. 31 deadline and desire to return to the country to see their children, they can do so, she assured.
“If they have reason to come back to the Philippines, kagayan n’yan meron po silang asawa, meron silang anak dito sa Pilipinas (like those who got married with Filipinos and have children), they should comply with the regulations,” she stressed.
Sandoval warned that those who fail to comply “will be blacklisted, meaning they will be prevented from reentering the Philippines.”
She noted that are around 33,000 POGO foreign workers who are registered with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
The BI had earlier given foreign POGO workers until Oct. 15 to get their work visas downgraded to temporary visitors visas which only allows them to stay in the Philippines for 60 days.
“Ine-expect po natin siguro mga (We expect) 6,000 to 7,000 are set to leave the country in the next few days,” Sandoval said.