Offshore gaming service providers are closely monitored by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and other regulatory agencies to ensure full compliance with government directives, lawyer Margarita Gutierrez said.
“From the start of the lockdown, PAGCOR has been aggressive—with the help of local government units and other regulatory agencies—to ensure all foreign and Filipino employees of POGO Service Providers are following the rules and guidelines set by the government,” Gutierrez, spokesperson of the Accredited Service Providers of PAGCOR, said in a statement.
She said the Department of Labor and Employment and the Bureau of Immigration have been doing checks to ensure that foreign employees of PSPs have valid documents and work permits.
“PAGCOR also conducts random inspection, together with the LGU, to make sure that nobody is working (during the lockdown) in their office sites, which service providers have declared as part of the requirements for their operation,” she added.
Gutierrez addedthe PSPs themselves were implementing the protocols, as well as disciplinary measures, not only for everyone’s safety but also to maintain harmony within the community where they belong.
“These companies are very strict that their employees follow health and safety protocols, such as social distancing and refraining from congregating (in areas accessible to the public)—particularly foreign employees—in houses or condominiums,” Gutierrez said.
While there were some reports that foreign employees were uncooperative, Gutierrez said the PSPs were already addressing this issue.
She also clarified that though PSPs have been allowed to start limited work, majority of their members are still complying with the conditions set by the administration, particularly in securing the clearance from the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
ASPAP members had vowed to settle their tax obligation as a precondition for the resumption of operations. However, Gutierrez explained that they are currently in talks with the BIR about the taxes levied against them.
Gutierrez reiterated that the industry can largely contribute to the government coffers in funding critical COVID-19 response programs.
“We have always said that we are ready and willing to help the government fight COVID-19 and that is why we are requesting to resume our operations so we can help through the remittances that we can contribute,” she said.
Aspap pointed out that in 2019 alone the government was able to collect a total of P14.28 billion from them.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon voiced his concern about the need for additional sources of funds to respond to the pandemic.
Drilon proposed the use of the planned five percent franchise tax on PSPs to fund the government’s COVID-19 activities, saying that the tax revenue is a “significant amount” that the government should utilize.