CDC SUPPORTS TOTAL POGO BAN — DEVANADERA

BY KEVIN GALANG

CLARK Development Corporation (CDC) fully supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s decision to prohibit all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in the country, CDC president and CEO attorney Agnes VST Devanadera yesterday said.

The President announced the ban on all POGOs during his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22.

“Effective today, all POGOs are banned. The grave abuse and disrespect to our system and laws must stop,” President Marcos Jr. said.

Devanadera said as early as last year, the CDC acted promptly following the Sun Valley Clark incident.

Under her leadership, the CDC supported the national government in curbing the growth of illegal POGO and related criminal activities.

Aside from terminating the sub-lease agreements related to the Sun Valley incident, the CDC Board on June 8, 2023, unanimously approved Resolution No. OSM-06-04, Series of 2023 suspending the processing and acceptance of applications from POGO and their Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Service Providers wanting to do business in this Freeport. 

“We stand with President Marcos in his commitment to eradicate illegal POGO operations. Our early actions reflect our dedication to safeguarding Clark’s integrity and ensuring community safety,” Devanadera said. 

On June 5, the Metro Clark Advisory Council (MCAC), the official coordinating body for CDC and local governments established under RA 7227 and RA 9400, passed Resolution No. 03, Series of 2024, following the rescue of nearly 900 victims from a human trafficking case in Bamban, Tarlac on March 13. 

This resolution endorsed the deferral of POGO applications by the CDC and Mabalacat City, strengthening efforts to combat POGO-related crimes.

According to Devanadera, with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) overseeing the cessation of POGO operations by the end of the year, CDC will continue to work closely with national and local authorities to enforce the ban effectively.

For over three decades, Clark has thrived as a tourism and investment hub, and the CDC remains committed to maintaining this Freeport as a secure and preferred destination for business and leisure.