CITY OF MALOLOS — Vice Gov. Alexis Castro filed an ordinance before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) of Bulacan on Wednesday that aims to prohibit Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), now called internet gaming licensees, from operating in the province.

Castro, the presiding officer of the legislative body, presented the measure in support of the executive order by Gov. Daniel Fernando.

Last June 26, Fernando issued Executive Order (EO) 19, s. 2024, enjoining the close monitoring of POGOs in the province.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan cited reports of various criminal activities allegedly taking place inside POGO facilities in other places as the main reason why they want to ban POGO in Bulacan.

"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," the ordinance said.

"It is incumbent upon the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to withhold its consent to offshore gaming operations and adopt a measure that will aid in the complete eradication of the evils and social ills brought about by POGO operations."

In a recent joint operation by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission in the provinces of Pampanga and Tarlac, authorities uncovered various crimes committed inside the POGO premises, including the use of illegal drugs, prostitution, and online scamming.

During the committee hearings held on Wednesday and Friday, several manifestations were heard from opposite sides of the issue. The vice governor recognized these manifestations and assured that it would all be discussed further on the next hearings.

The governor's EO stated that "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 on such POGO operations."

"According to our police provincial director, as of today, there is no licensed POGO in Bulacan," Castro said.