Solons urge BI to submit reports on POGOs, SWPs
A SOLON has asked the Bureau of Immigration (BI) during the second day of budget deliberation of the proposed P5.268 trillion national budget for 2023 to submit a report on the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) as well as an update on the issuance of the Special Working Permits (SWPs).
Senator Joel Villanueva said he and Sen. Loren Legarda made a provision in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) to safeguard the power of Congress and to ensure that BI officials would not abuse the issuance of the SWP.
SWP is a permit option for foreigners who are planning on short-term assignments or employment for up to six months in the Philippines.
Villanueva said foreigners, particularly Chinese nationals, would apply for an SWP after a week or two after arriving in the country as a tourist.
Earlier, Sen. Grace Poe asked authorities, particularly the Immigration Department, to account for the over 40,000 POGO who will lose their visa to ensure they comply.
Poe earlier filed Senate Resolution no. 229 to assess the POGOs in the country in the light of the spate of criminal activities related to their operations.
Immigration Deputy Commissioner Fortunato Manahan jr. replied that the 48,782 foreign employees of POGO facing visa cancellation were based on assumptions of the number of workers per company whose license to operate has been revoked by Pagcor (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation).
Poe pointed out that POGOs hire only one Filipino for every four employees.
Villanueva said Immigration must be particular about the application of SWP in the country.
