Since May this year, Filipinos are still reeling from the effects of the suspension of eSabong operations nationwide which has affected the availability of jobs, specifically in industries related to the game.

Such was the story of Ferlie Radasa and her ailing father Ferdinand who has been reliant on the income of his daughter who works at an eSabong outlet to fund his dialysis treatment.

Ferdinand then received thousands of sympathies online after knowing that the free dialysis treatment and medical assistance given by the Pitmaster Foundation has stopped amid the prohibition.

"It's painful to know that there are people like this who are struggling. Knowing that eSabong is the only source of income for them, but they still deny it. I hope that eSabong will be brought back, we know that it really helps a lot, especially those who are poor and have difficulties in finding another job," said Jethy Cornel-San Miguel, a concerned netizen.

"I hope you can see the sacrifice of some of our countrymen who only rely on eSabong industry. We all have the right to live freely, I hope you give hope to others so that they won't suffer anymore," he added.

Free dialysis treatment is one of the initiatives of Pitmaster Foundation to help the public in need but has since been limited only to a few individuals as eSabong operations have been stopped.

This is apart from the income that the game generates for the families of those who work in the eSabong industry and has been reliant on the game's revenue to survive.

"Pitmaster knows how to help people who are in need, it's not also about having a job but also helping medically. Mang Ferdinand is a living testimonial that Pitmaster really affects people below, they are crying for help and Pitmaster gives them an opportunity and hope. The regulators should consider these testimonials as these people know how Pitmaster changed their life positively," said another netizen Daniel Trent Bernabe.

Lucila Platero, on the other hand, said that a prolonged ban on eSabong operations means "banning an opportunity for people like Ferdinand to even live."

"Medicines are already expensive for people like Kuya Ferdinand, what more if you are unemployed and didn't have the privilege to study, and at the same time, need to address medical concerns? We have to look at the banning of eSabong as not merely a game. This industry is life for people like Kuya Ferdinand, and banning such is like banning an opportunity to people like him to even live," said Platero.

Meanwhile, social media users also commended the Pitmaster Foundation for its "unceasing vision" to elevate the current situation of Filipinos.

JP Fernandez said that the charity organization was an advocate for the hopeless and those in need. This, he emphasized, underscored the importance of resuming eSabong operations in order to continue its involvement in humanitarian endeavors.

Data revealed that eSabong can help fund the universal health care of the country through the income it generates for the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

At its peak, the gamefowl industry reportedly generated P650 million per month in revenues for the PAGCOR At least P1.37 billion was collected from seven licensed eSabong operators from January to March 2022.

However, with eSabong out, PAGCOR projected a revenue loss of up to P5 billion for this year.