POGO stick

One compelling issue now hounding this administration is the problem of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations or POGO. The debate is whether or not POGO should still be allowed by the government to operate.

Of course, the main argument going against this very lucrative revenue-generating endeavor is that its premise is actually illegal in itself, as China has strictly banned any form of gambling in its territory, thus the term "offshore."

However, the reality is that so many of our Chinese brothers can't help but engage in this online leisure activity, and the market and business model is really an enormous one that it can generate thousands of jobs and a sheer number of allied business opportunities in retail and the real estate sector here in the Philippines.

In fact, the plan to phase out POGO is threatening to impact about 25,000 jobs directly related to POGO here, the forced closure of allied businesses such as restaurants, hotels, and other retail shops, plus the termination of lease rentals and the slowdown in real estate development.

To give nuance to the problem, the plan to shut down POGO is not so much predicated on China's official insistence, but more on the containment of lawlessness and violence that has emerged in this industry, thanks in large part due to syndicates and criminal organizations dipping their hands in the POGO cookie jar.

Yes, the lawlessness, violence and other crimes are evidently there, more so because the lucrative nature will really attract all sorts, just like flies and bees to honey.

But then again, that is something that government can very well handle, in a similar vein that it has been handling the drug war and other criminal infestations. Surely POGO-related crimes are not that special to confound our authorities, so this is not a strong justification at all to stop POGO altogether, particularly the legal ones.

Right now, I daresay that we will have a lot to lose as a country if the POGO phase-out plan is carried out immediately.

Where would we get the replacement revenues that are in billions? Billions which are most needed in our infra drive and social amelioration services. Billions that can be put to good use to further pump prime our thriving economy.

Again it's the momentum. Let's not dampen our catapult to our very promising economic growth by halting the POGO jump now. Let legitimate POGO continue as is, but at the same time, let us develop a five-year plan that would address the China's concern in a mutually beneficial way.

To reiterate, if the concern is criminality in POGO, then it should be addressed by law enforcement, by law and order. But let us not kill the golden goose just yet. Because we owe it to our "kababayans" who stand to lose jobs.

We owe it to our entrepreneurs, investors and real estate developers who stand to lose a lot in opportunities and enterprises, not to mention the drop in real estate values. But most of all, we owe it to this country to keep everything that is working towards its zenith to progress.

Let POGO stick.

Mark my word.