GOVERNMENT SHOULD HELP

FILIPINO EX-POGO WORKERS – SENATOR FRANCIS TOLENTINO

Campomanes, Exequiel E.

Etis, Ma. Rossdie A.

Rombaoa, Jan Paula V.

Santiago, Job Leroi M.

Tumbado, Reigne B.

Villamil, Mark Joseph L.

Mr. Archelo D. Eleorda

 I. TIME CONTEXT

● October 8, 2024

II. VIEWPOINT

● The Department of Labor and Employee (DOLE)

III. CASE SUMMARY

Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino urged the Department of Labor and
Employment (DOLE) to assist the former Filipino Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators
(POGO) workers to secure a new job free from discrimination in job fairs and hiring
process. In his radio program, Gilbert Cruz told the Senator that during the recent raid on
POGO hub in Pasay City, there were foreign national and Filipino workers who were
arrested by the government operatives. Some of the locals were already released, as Mr.
Cruz described them as involved in maintenance and housekeeping tasks and are not
involved in any illegal activities in POGO. To assist them, DOLE will conduct a job fair
to specifically accommodate the unemployed Filipino POGO workers.

According to the Bureau of Immigration (BI), around 10,000 visas or 10% of the
estimated total of legitimate foreign national POGO workers were downgraded in the
Philippines. The BI anticipates the applications will increase as the deadline approaches.
The foreign national POGO workers have been reminded that they only have until
October 15, 2024 to voluntarily downgrade their visas to temporary visitor visas to allow
them to legally stay in the Philippines for 59 days to finalize their affairs. Those who fail
to comply with the downgrading deadline or have not leave the country December 31st
will be subject to deportation or blacklisting.

IV. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

1. Filipino ex-POGO workers continue to face discrimination both when applying

for jobs and from hiring managers.

2. The number of unemployed Filipino ex-POGO workers is increasing as POGO

hubs shut down.

3. Many foreign national POGO workers have yet to downgrade their work visas.
 V. STATEMENT OF THE OBJECTIVE

1. To protect Filipino ex-POGO workers from discrimination in job applications by

coordinating with DOLE and the PAOCC.

2. To support affected Filipinos in finding legitimate work by organizing job fairs

specifically planned to cater to their needs, scheduled to happen in October 2024.

3. To encourage foreign nationals to downgrade their work visas to temporary visas

by giving them time allowance of until October 15, 2024, to legally stay in the
Philippines and settle their affairs.

VI. ASSUMPTIONS

1. Filipinos who previously worked in POGOs are worried that they may struggle to
find legitimate jobs or even face discrimination if the government does not take
immediate actions to resolve this issue.

2. In response to the recent case involving former Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, the
Philippine government aims to completely shut down all POGO operations to
eliminate illegal activities in the country.

VII. AREAS OF CONSIDERATION

STRENGTHS

1. The government, led by the Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino, is

committed to assisting Filipino ex-POGO workers who have experienced job
losses due to the shutdown of POGOs.

2. Reemployment rates are increasing with the support of the DOLE to help the
affected Filipino workers find new jobs.

3. The PAOCC ensures the safety of Filipino workers who are at risk due to illegal
activities occurring in POGOs.

WEAKNESSES

1. Filipino ex-POGO workers may face financial difficulties while seeking new
employment opportunities due to sudden loss of income.

2. This can lead to job mismatches due to limited availability of suitable job
 opportunities for them, as many companies may not be able to accommodate a
large number of displaced employees.

3. Tension and competition may arise between existing employees and Filipino
ex-POGO workers in the same workplace, as both groups strive for limited job
opportunities and recognition.

OPPORTUNITIES

1. Creating more legitimate job opportunities for Filipino ex-POGO workers through
collaboration among DOLE, public, and private sectors.

2. Improving labor rights for the affected Filipino workers to reduce negative
stereotypes based on their past work experiences.

3. Prioritizing employment for locals over foreign workers as the latter are being
forced to downgrade their working visas into temporary visas.

THREATS

1. The elimination of POGO operations could lead to sudden changes in economic

activity, resulting in decreased jobs and income.

2. This could impact the relations of the Philippines with foreign countries, as the
government's actions against POGO operations might affect the diplomatic ties
and decline in foreign investment.

3. Filipino ex-POGO workers may still engage in other illegal activities if they are
not closely monitored, which could increase crime rates and place additional
burdens on local law enforcement and the community.

VIII. ALTERNATIVE COURSES OF ACTION

ACA1: To protect Filipinos from job discrimination, DOLE could provide seminars to
hiring managers to educate them about hiring ex-POGO workers, or they could create
mentorship and seminar programs designed to help the former POGO workers transition
to their new job.

ACA2: With the increasing number of unemployed Filipino ex-POGO workers, the
DOLE will provide financial assistance to encourage those who want to start a small
business and provide them with self-employment opportunities.

ACA3: To encourage more foreign POGO workers to downgrade their visas, the DOLE
will be collaborating with the BI, and together they could raise awareness by regularly
 reminding the foreign POGO workers about the importance of complying with the visa
downgrade and the possible outcomes if they fail to comply.

ACA1 ACA2 ACA3

EFFECTIVENESS 3 1 2

TIMELINESS 2 3 1

COST 2 1 3

TOTAL 7 5 6

LEGEND:

3 - MOST FAVORABLE
2 - FAVORABLE
1 - UNFAVORABLE

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Conclusion:

Authorities are working towards protecting the welfare of vulnerable ex-POGO

workers since most of them are innocent and aren't involved in illegal operations inside
POGOs. Authorities are going to help legitimate local workers find work opportunities
without the negative connotation and discrimination that formerly working for POGOs
has.

Aside from directly helping its citizens, the authorities are also working towards
helping them indirectly by putting restrictions on documented foreign POGO workers to
help with national security. This is done by encouraging foreign POGO workers to
voluntarily downgrade their visas in order to legally stay in the Philippines.

These various projects and initiatives are done under several offices such as the
Bureau of Immigration, Department of Labor and Employment, Philippine Amusement
and Gaming Corp., Department of Justice, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime
Commission, etc. Involving different offices means the work will be more efficient since
they can handle the specific things that fall under their jurisdiction.
 Recommendation:

Upon evaluating the tally, the first alternative course of action will be the
recommended step to take. To prevent discrimination as early as the hiring process, these
seminars will be conducted for the HR Department Heads to be well-aware of what the
local POGO workers have been through, and what is expected from them in
accommodating the unemployed Filipinos. Compared to the other courses, this program
can yield better results, as it could help these individuals gain the chance to have their
livelihood again.

IX. ACTION PLAN

WHAT WHO WHEN BUDGET

Anti-Discrimination For Human November to ₱ 20,000.00 per

Seminars Resources December 2024 Seminar (includes
Department Heads Professional Fee for
the speaker and food
for the attendees)

Financial Assistance For former POGO November 2024 to ₱ 5,000.00 -

Program local workers who January 2025 ₱ 10,000.00 per
want to establish their business (10-20
own business business can be
accommodated)

Multimedia Former Foreign October 2024 Since the campaign

Campaigns Nationals who will be conducted
previously worked online, the program
for POGOs will be free of charge.