THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) yesterday said it has downgraded the working visas of more than 2,000 employees of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) facilities following the order of President Marcos Jr. to shut down the offshore gaming industry in the country.
Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the working visas have been downgraded to “tourist” visas.
He said the BI will allow the voluntary downgrading of visas granted to foreign POGO employees until October 15 and will begin cancelling their working visas starting October 16.
He said this is aimed at ending all POGO operations by the end of the year.
“There are no more reasons to be working here so (we have to) start already the downgrading from working visa to tourist visa that will allow them to settle all their accountabilities, secure clearances, and leave the country within 59 days from the order of downgrading,” Tansingco told senators during the budget deliberations of the proposed budget of the Department of Justice (DOJ) next year.
The BI is an attached agency of the DOJ.
Tansingco said that more than 100,000 POGO workers have not received new Internet Gaming Licensee (IGL) permits.
He said the BI is working with other government agencies to make sure that the more than 100,000 foreign POGO workers will follow the process of downgrading their visas and eventually leave the country.
