NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan has stated that he will personally recommend to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. the banning of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) from the country.
This recommendation is based on the need to promote businesses that support moral and social development, as POGOs have been associated with various crimes and other issues.
Balisacan emphasized that the social costs associated with POGOs are significant when compared to the revenue they generate for the country.
“It is an appreciation of what the long term benefits are versus the cost. Our position at NEDA which we have submitted some time ago… the cost especially, social costs are quite high,” Balisacan said.
“We don’t think that the benefits in terms of the revenues generated and the additional… and the impact and the economy are worth the cost. So, I think that what we want to encourage are very… legitimate investments, good investments, quality investments,” he added.
The NEDA chief stressed the importance of investments that produce goods and services while avoiding those that lead to negative consequences such as alleged crimes and related issues.
NEDA urges Marcos to ban POGOs in PH
He also mentioned that any potential revenue loss from banning POGOs could be offset by gains from other investments that align better with societal well-being.
“Look at Thailand. Look at Indonesia. All these other countries around us they don’t depend on those kind of businesses,” he said.
Over half a year after its finalization, a Senate Committee on Ways and Means report advocating for the “immediate expulsion” of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) from the country has garnered the support of at least 10 senators.
Under the committee report, the Senate urged the executive department to “cease the operations of POGOs.
The calls were supported by the Movement for The Restoration of Peace And Order, which said that POGO paved the way for international syndicates to enter the country.
“Cambodia and Laos had a big crackdown against POGO kaya sila dito nagtakbuhan so why is our country a safe haven for criminals and transnational syndicates like that? Where is the failure coming from?” said Teresita Ang-See ng Movement for The Restoration of Peace And Order.
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