MANILA - The Department of Labor and Employment plans to organize a job fair for displaced Filipino workers of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the ban on POGOs last month.

During the House Committee on Appropriations’ deliberations on the proposed 2025 budget for DOLE, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said they are conducting profiling of POGO workers not just for emergency employment intervention under the TUPAD program, but also for employment facilitation. 

“Mayroon kaming mga itatakdang specific jobs fair. As we speak, mayroon din kaming coordination sa industry association, kagaya ng IT, business process outsourcing association. Kasi nakita namin sa profiling, marami doon encoders na maaaring mangailangan ng upskilling and reskilling at malaking bahagi ang maitutulong ng TESDA para maihanda sila sa hanapbuhay na mas pangmatagalan. Hindi ‘yung temporary lang,” Laguesma replied.

Northern Samar 1st District Representative Paul Daza said he will support efforts to ensure DOLE will have enough funds to assist the displaced POGO workers

Around 40,000 Filipinos will lose their jobs when POGO hubs leave the country, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation Chairman Alejandro Tengco previously said.