The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced its preparedness to assist workers displaced by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s nationwide ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), declared during his third State of the Nation Address (SONA).
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian emphasized that support will be provided to both Filipino and non-Filipino citizens affected by the ban. He highlighted in an ABS-CBN News report the department’s efforts to assist non-Filipino citizens, many of whom are victims of human trafficking.
“The non-Filipino citizens normally are victims of human trafficking. And we have to work with their respective agencies, which we’ve done in certain cases doon sa mga illegal POGO… Una, ginagawa natin na may na immediate shelter where they can stay. We are actually running one anti-human trafficking center in Metro Manila, together with DOJ, the IACAT (Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking). So we house them temporarily, work with their governments so that they can go home safely in the fastest possible time,” Gatchalian said during the 2024 Post-SONA discussions.
For displaced Filipino workers, Gatchalian explained that the DSWD has various assistance programs, including the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS). “The loss of livelihood is a crisis,” he noted, adding that through AICS, displaced workers will receive aid and grants via the sustainable livelihood program.
Additionally, some POGO facilities that were raided and handed over to the government have been converted into shelters. Gatchalian mentioned, “Actually the one in Parañaque (Pasay) is now running as our ‘Pag-abot’ center for people live in the streets. Iyong mga families in street situation at iyong mga individuals in street situation na pinupuntahan namin, nirea-reach out namin doon na rin namin sila hina-house temporarily bago natin iuwi sa kanilang mga probinsya.”
“All we had to do was retrofit it a little, and put it to good use,” he added.