Senator Win Gatchalian said the increasing involvement of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in numerous crimes, such as human trafficking, could deter travelers and decrease arrivals in the Philippines.
“Nagpalit pa nga tayo ng slogan na Love The Philippines kasi gusto nating i-promote ang kagandahan ng bansa at tapos mababalitaan natin na may mga krimen dahil sa negosyo ng POGO,” Gatchalian said.
He previously expressed his concerns on recent police raids that conducted out separately in two POGO hubs in Clark, Pampanga, and Las Pinas City and resulted in the rescue of hundreds of foreign and local employees.
According to figures from the tourism department, the country welcomed 2.02 million international visitors overall last year from the time the country’s borders opened in February 2022. Including overseas Filipino workers, arrivals totaled 2.65 million.
Based on data from the Philippine Tourism Satellite Accounts, inbound visitor spending in 2022 totaled P368 billion, of which P94.74 billion, or 25.7% of the total, was spent on food and beverages, P80.83 billion, or 21.9%, on shopping, and P63.32 billion, or 17.2%, on lodging services.
The solon also said that the reputational concerns brought on by increased criminalities connected to the POGO industry could make ineffective the government’s efforts to raise tourism earnings, job possibilities, promote local sales, and increase government income.
