The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Bulacan, led by Vice Gov. Alexis Castro, unanimously approved in its third and final reading Provincial Ordinance No. 012-2024, known as the "Bawal ang Pogo sa Bulacan" ordinance, during its regular session on Thursday1. The measure prohibits "Pogos and other similar activities within the territorial jurisdiction of the province of Bulacan"1.
Castro proposed the ordinance to complement Executive Order No. 19, Series of 2024, issued by Gov. Daniel Fernando, which restricted the establishment of Pogos in any of the province's 20 towns and four cities1. Under EO 19, Fernando ordered all mayors, councilors and barangay officials to check all warehouses, buildings and apartments in their localities for any Pogo operations1. Col. Relly Arnedo, the provincial police director, assured local officials that no Pogo firm is operating in Bulacan1.
Castro said Bulacan is the "first province" to pass such an ordinance, citing similar measures passed by the city councils of Pasig and Valenzuela in Metro Manila1. He said he shared Fernando's concern that Pogos could relocate to Bulacan after recent government raids on hubs in Tarlac and Pampanga1. An establishment under construction for a supposed Pogo operation in a Bulacan town, which has not yet been issued a permit and license by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., will be covered by the ban1.
"What good can we get from these Pogos? There are social issues, human trafficking, torture, money laundering, kidnapping, prostitution, different crimes in Pogos. We would not let these things happen in Bulacan as these are all crimes brought by Pogos. We will not gain anything out of this… Even jobs are not given to locals but to foreigners."
In Palawan, another proposed ordinance seeking to ban the establishment of Pogos was filed by Board Member Ryan Maminta during the board's regular session on Tuesday1. Maminta said the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission had reported it was intensively monitoring activities in Palawan after receiving information that the province was being promoted abroad as a prime location for Pogo operations1. He said he had received reports of illegal offshore gaming activity on some islands north of Palawan but did not provide details1.
What it means for players
The ordinance bars Pogo operations within Bulacan's territory, covering the province's 20 towns and four cities1. The Philippine offshore gaming industry is distinct from the domestic licensed casino and gaming sector regulated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., and the reported text of the ordinance addresses Pogos and similar activities rather than land-based casino gaming1. No Pogo firm was operating in Bulacan at the time of the vote, according to the provincial police director1. The status of any individual player, worker or licensee under the ordinance has not been reported.
What happens next
The ordinance took effect after its third and final reading approval on July 4, 20241. Enforcement falls to local officials, who under EO 19 were ordered to inspect warehouses, buildings and apartments for Pogo operations1. Palawan's proposed ordinance remains pending before its provincial board1.
Sources1 sources
- No place for Pogos in Bulacan, LGU, newsinfo.inquirer.net
