NEDA chief backs recommendations on POGO ban

MANILA, Philippines — The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has expressed support for the recommendation of senators to ban Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) in the country, citing the “high” social costs that cannot be outweighed by the revenues obtained from the gambling entities.

At a Palace briefing yesterday, NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said what the government encourages are “legitimate” and “good quality” investments that produce goods and services, not those that have negative impact on society.

“The costs, especially social costs, are quite high, and we don’t think that the benefits in terms of the revenues generated and the impact on the economy are worth the cost,” Balisacan said when asked about his agency’s position on the Senate report recommending the permanent ban of POGOs in the Philippines.

“We have been moving around in many countries, cities, attracting investment to the country, marketing our country as a good place to do business. We are not going around to attract business of this kind. We want investment inflows that will promote not only the economic but also the social aspects of our development,” he added.

The operation of POGOs has been linked to criminal acts like money laundering, tax evasion, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping and bribery of immigration personnel.

Asked in a chance interview whether he would recommend the banning of POGOs to the President, Balisacan replied: “Personally, yes... If I am asked.”

He expressed confidence that lost revenues from the departure of POGOs could be replaced by earnings from other investments.

“Look at Thailand, look at Indonesia, look at all these other countries around us. They don’t depend on those kinds of