The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said as part of the government’s broader crackdown, local government units (LGUs) are required to submit “No POGO†certifications by the end of the month.
The directive empowers LGUs and police to inspect commercial buildings and residences, including those located within special economic zones, to ensure compliance with the ban.
“LGUs are responsible for checking all the buildings, (and utilize) the occupancy permits, the electric permits, the fire safety permits so they would have full capacity to enter all the buildings,†DILG Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla explained.
The DILG also clarified that special economic zones nationwide are not exempt from the government’s total ban on Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).
Remulla emphasized that areas managed by the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) are subject to the same rules under President Ferdinand “Bongbong†Marcos Jr.’s Executive Order (EO) 74, which enforces the nationwide prohibition of POGO operations.
“It is very clear that with EO 74, CEZA and PEZA zones are not exempted. There are no boundaries we cannot inspect. All these areas are included,†Remulla told reporters following a meeting with Justice officials.
The DILG also highlighted the importance of scrutinizing high-bandwidth areas, where POGOs are most likely to operate due to their reliance on stable internet connections.
In addition to inspections, the campaign involves the Bureau of Immigration (BI), which is tasked with tracking down 11,000 unaccounted foreign POGO workers. Those linked to illegal activities will face law enforcement action.
Aside from commercial and residential building inspections, LGUs may also check if owners are paying correct real property taxes.
Remulla noted that POGOs operate where there is available bandwidth.
“They cannot operate in remote areas because there would be no Internet there. They have a high bandwidth requirement to be able to operate,†he said.
“The government’s anti-POGO campaign is an ongoing thing, (it’s) forever. We will continue to be vigilant about it,†Remulla stressed.
He added that the DILG will enforce a “zero tolerance†policy on erring local government officials in the campaign against POGOs.
“If you commit a mistake, pasensyahan tayo (you’ve been warned),†Remulla said.
Meanwhile, Remulla said the 11,000 foreign POGO workers that remained unaccounted for will be the subject of a manhunt by the Bureau of Immigration (BI), while those involved in illegal activities will be pursued by police.