MANILA — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Wednesday it downgraded around 2,000 visas of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) employees since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the ban on the gaming platform.

During the Senate hearing on the budget of the Department of Justice and its attached agencies, BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said around 100,000 POGO workers have not received a new Internet Gaming Licensee (IGL) permit, he said.

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As of Tuesday, Tansingco said they had downgraded some 2,000 9G visas of POGO employees. 9G visas are work visas that allow foreign nationals to be employed in the Philippines.

Tansingco said they would allow the voluntary downgrading of 9G visas until October 15. After that, starting October 16, he said they will begin canceling 9G visas, with the goal of ending all operations by December 31, 2024.

READ: 20,000 foreign POGO workers told to leave Philippines in 60 days

READ: DOLE to organize job fair for displaced Filipino POGO workers

"There are no more reason to be working here so 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 said.  

He clarified that the 100,000 workers differ from those working for unlicensed POGOs or IGLs.

The BI is working with other government agencies to ensure the 100,000 workers will follow the downgrading and eventually leave.

READ: DOLE to organize job fair for displaced Filipino POGO workers

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