Special class BPOs safe as Philippines shuts down POGOs
MANILA, PHILIPPINES — As the Philippine government prepares to shut down Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) by the end of the year, Senator Mark Villar has assured employees of Special Class Business Process Outsourcing (SCBPOs) that they will not be affected.
During an inspection of two SCBPOs in Aseana, Parañaque, Villar emphasized the operational differences between SCBPOs and POGOs, confirming that SCBPOs will continue their operations.
Understanding the difference between SCBPOs vs. POGOs
Senator Villar, who chairs the Senate Committee on Games and Amusement, highlighted the distinctions between SCBPOs and POGOs during his visit with Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.
He stated that they are conducting the inspection to observe the operations of SCBPOs and understand how they differ from the POGOs.
“Our goal is to make sure that the operations of these SCBPOs are legitimized because we do not want our countrymen to lose their jobs,” Villar said.
SCBPOs provide services to international companies without engaging in betting activities, unlike the gambling-centric nature of POGOs.
Job security for SCBPO workers
Villar reassured SCBPO workers about their job security, stating that in the next Senate hearings, SCBPOs can rest assured that they will not be part of the closures before the year ends.
This assurance is crucial for the approximately 5,000 Filipinos employed by SCBPOs, who can now focus on their work without fear of sudden unemployment.
Ensuring legal compliance of SCBPOs
The senator underscored the importance of ensuring that SCBPOs operate within legal boundaries. His committee plans to conduct hearings on the President’s directive to terminate POGO operations, which have been scrutinized due to various regulatory and legal issues.
In contrast, SCBPOs have been recognized for their legitimate service offerings and economic contributions.
PAGCOR’s accreditation of SCBPOs
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) released a list of SCBPOs that have been granted regular and provisional accreditation. As of August 7, these include the following companies:
SCBPOs with regular accreditation
- Amused Group Philippines Inc.
- Everlounge Inc.
- NCH Customer Support Services, Inc.
- Novatech (Pasay) Limited, Inc.
- Optimus System Solutions Inc.
- Skylynx Tech Inc.
- Smartkoin, OPC
- Vintage Management Solutions, OPC
- WHG Customer Services Philippines, Inc.
- Zimi Tech, Inc.
SCBPOs with provisional accreditation
- AEL Business Solutions Inc.
- Bayview Technologies, Inc.
- Concentrix Global Services Inc. (Philippine Branch)
- New Stars Solutions Inc.
This clear distinction and assurance from government officials provide stability for SCBPOs, ensuring their continued operation and contribution to the Philippine economy amid the impending POGO shutdown.
POGO ban and its implications
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the ban on all POGOs during his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July. This decision was driven by the industry’s involvement in criminal activities such as scamming, money laundering, and human trafficking.
“The grave abuse and disrespect to our system and laws must stop,” Marcos stated.
