‘Lift POGO suspension to boost tax revenue’, says politician

Eric Go Yap, joined PAGCOR Chief Andrea Domingo in arguing for offshore gaming operations to continue in the country.

Philippines.- A House Committee Member in the Philippines has called for the POGO suspension to be lifted to boost tax revenue in the country.

The Vice-Chair of Games and Amusements, Eric Go Yap, joined PAGCOR Chief Andrea Domingo in arguing for offshore gaming operations to continue in the country.

Yap said: “In view of exhausting government coffers, the suspension of POGO operations should be lifted immediately to give our tax collection a much-needed boost.

“The foreign workers are here anyway. Like us, some of them are also going out to get what they need.

“They go to groceries, drug stores, restaurants. Why not allow them to operate? Work from home arrangements should be explored.”

Lockdown measures in the Philippines have been in place throughout March and April and could be extended past the April 30 deadline date.

Last week, Labour Undersecretary, Dominique Tutay, told local press that he expected that despite the suspension, POGOs should restart operations after April 30.

He said: “POGOs will continue as long they are allowed by law. We will just continue our initiative to regulate and ensure that these firms are compliant with labor and immigration laws as well as payment of taxes.”