136 Job Seekers Hired on the Spot at DOLE Job Fair

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced that 136 job seekers were hired on the spot during a two-day job fair in Pasay City aimed at helping workers displaced by the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) ban.

Supporting Displaced Workers

Held from November 19 to November 20, the job fair attracted 865 registrants, including 298 displaced POGO employees. Of those hired on the spot, 38 were affected by the POGO ban.

A total of 12,378 job vacancies were offered by 790 local and overseas employers, with roles primarily in:

• Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)
• Manufacturing
• Health and Wellness
• Wholesale and Retail Trade
• Hospitality
• Transport and Logistics
• Construction

Open to All Job Seekers

DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma emphasized that the job fairs were not limited to displaced POGO workers. “We accommodate everyone who needs help, job seekers who undergo the process,” Laguesma said.

Impact of the POGO Ban

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ordered a nationwide ban on POGOs in July, citing links to crimes such as human trafficking and money scams. The ban is expected to displace an estimated 40,000 Filipino workers.

To manage the transition, an interagency task force, including the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), was created to oversee the closure of POGO operations and assist displaced workers.

Foreign POGO workers were required to downgrade their visas by October 15 or face deportation, with over 21,000 applying for the downgrade. Marcos also signed Executive Order No. 74 earlier this month, enforcing a ban on illegal offshore gaming operations and new license applications.