Makati Halts Issuance of Permits to Pogo Service Providers

Makati City has stopped the issuance of business licenses and permits to service providers for Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) due to the concerns over rising criminality and availability of office space.

Makati Mayor Abby Binay said the city would no longer issue letters of no objection for business licenses to Pogo service providers.

“We would no longer accept new applications for Pogo service providers, and crack down hard against illegal activities that are catering to Pogos and their employees within Makati,” Binay said.

Binay said the Chinese rush in the city had increased the demand for housing and offices, causing drastic spikes in real property prices.

“This puts the local property sector at risk of overheating, where its growth becomes unsustainable,” Binay said.

The mayor also said the increasing demand for housing for Pogo employees had given rise to substandard but high-rent apartments.

“These apartments are usually overcrowded with insufficient exits and faulty fire-alarm systems,” she said.