CITY OF MALOLOS — As the legality of the operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) in Tarlac and Pampanga heats up, the 11th Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Bulacan is proposing to disallow their operation in the province.

The Provincial Public Affairs Office (PPAO) of Bulacan said the proposal was raised during the SP’s committee hearing at the Benigno Aquino Session Hall at the Provincial Capitol Building on Wednesday.

The provincial council tackled the issue following reports on the proliferation of POGO operations, which have been causing various social, economic, and security issues in the country.

The PPAO reported that the draft ordinance states, “The Provincial Government of Bulacan genuinely believes that the adverse impacts of POGO operations surpass their alleged economic benefits and can potentially worsen existing social ills while posing a threat to the country’s overall economic stability.”

It can be recalled that on June 26 this year, Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando issued Executive Order No. 19, series of 2024, enjoining the close monitoring of POGOs in the province.

As per the EO, all local chief executives in the province are expected to make an inventory of all POGO operations within their respective jurisdictions; monitor whether such POGO operations have the appropriate government licenses and approvals; and conduct appropriate regulatory inspections of such POGO operations.

However, the PPAO has not reported if there are any POGO operations in Bulacan.

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