SENATOR Win Gatchalian has raised concerns about the impending displacement of Filipino workers employed by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) following President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s executive order to ban POGOs by 2025.
During the proposed 2025 budget deliberation for the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Gatchalian questioned labor officials about their plans to reintegrate displaced workers. He pressed for details on the agency’s assistance and safety nets, including programs for upskilling and reskilling.
“Executive Order 74, issued by the President on November 5, 2024, designates DOLE as vice chairperson of the technical working group on employment recovery and reintegration,” Gatchalian pointed out. “DOLE’s position paper proposes programs like employment facilitation, employability and livelihoods development, and termination-related assistance. Has DOLE identified and accounted for all Filipino workers affected by this closure?”
Senator Loren Legarda, sponsor of the DOLE budget, responded that 27,790 Filipino workers have been identified in four regions: the National Capital Region (19,754), Region 3 (142), Region 4A Calabarzon (7,837), and Region 7 Visayas (57). She stated that DOLE has programs in place to assist displaced workers, including job matching, referral placement, and adjustment measures.
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