Pagbabalik operasyon ng mga POGO, pinayagan ng PAGCOR

Inamin ng Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) na pinayagan nila ang pagbabalik operasyon ng Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).

Sa inilabas na pahayag ng PAGCOR, pinayagan nila ang pag-operate ng mga POGO para makatulong sa paglikom ng pondo sa paglaban sa COVID-19.

“THE Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has given the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) the green light to partially resume operations in the country, subject to stringent conditions. The decision was reached with the intention of helping the national government raise necessary funds to combat the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.” bahagi ng pahayag ng PAGCOR.

Kasabay naman ng pagbabalik operasyon ng POGO ay ang pagtiyak na nasusunod ang ipinatutupad na alituntunin ng pamahalaan sa ilalim ng Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).

“Citing the revenues from POGOs as a significant source of funds that would supplement efforts to curb the health crisis, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Andrea Domingo said the management allowed the partial reopening of POGOs, without violating guidelines provided by the government under the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).”

Bago pa man pinahintulutan na makapag-operate ang kanilang operasyon, mayroong dapat i-comply ang mga POGO sa PAGCOR.

“Prior to resumption of operations, POGOs and their service providers are ordered to strictly adhere to all of PAGCOR’s pre-requisites including the 1) updating and settlement of all their tax liabilities, as certified by the Bureau of Internal Revenue; 2) updating of their payments for any regulatory fee, license fee, performance bond or penalties due to PAGCOR; 3) remittance of regulatory fees for the month of April; and 4) must pass the readiness to implement safety protocols.”

Nais din ng PAGCOR na matiyak na protektado mula sa COVID-19 ang mga manggagawa ng POGOs.

“Among the safety measures include the permission of only 30 percent workforce per shift in authorized operating sites; provision of shuttle services for employees from their places of residence to their offices; temperature checks upon entry at the office premises; practicing social distancing, proper sanitation and disinfection, and wearing of mask at all times, among other important guidelines to curb the infection.”

Hindi naman pahihintulutan ng PAGCOR na makapagtrabaho ang mga empleyado ng mga POGO na positibo o di kaya ay mga suspected o mga probable na may COVID-19.

“Those who will report back to work – whether Filipinos or foreign nationals – must be tested for COVID-19 and must obtain a negative test result from a testing facility duly-registered with the Food and Drugs Administration. Further, an Isolation Room must be established for employees who may start to exhibit symptoms of the virus.”

Giit naman ni Domingo, “even with the partial resumption of POGO operations, we will put premium on the safety of their employees, and the gaming industry as a whole. While we recognize their huge contributions to nation-building, and their great viability as a funding source in these difficult times, we still have to practice extra precaution in striking a balance between health and economic benefits.”