Quezon City gov’t gives POGOs 15 days to comply with local business requirements

AT LEAST three Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) based in Eastwood City in Libis were slapped with notice of violations by the Quezon City (QC) government for lack of local requirements for business. The notices were issued late Friday during a “surprise inspection” led by QC Mayor Maria Josefina “Joy” G. Belmonte, according to a statement from her office. “Among the POGO hubs which received notice of violations were Omniworld Enterprise, Inc., Singtech Enterprise Inc. and Great Empire Gaming and Amusement Corp. for failure to present necessary clearances required to conduct business in QC such as locational clearance, sanitary permit, environmental clearance, occupational permits of its employees, among others,” it said. The companies have been given 15 days to comply with the requirements. “While we welcome the business locators in our city, we want to ensure that our rules and regulations are followed to the letter. Otherwise, you will have to face the consequences of non-compliance,” Ms. Belmonte is quoted as having told one POGOs hub owner during the inspection. In her social media page, Ms. Belmonte acknowledged Councilors Ivy Xenia L. Lagman, Eric Rey Z. Medina, and Maria Imelda A. Rillo “for bringing this issue to my attention and for joining me during the inspection.”