[theold]

This figure is more than four times the initial estimate of 20,000 foreigners working in Pogos that the BI earlier said would be affected and ordered to leave the country with the total ban announced by the President last month.

Speaking at a Senate budget hearing, Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the BI had already converted to tourist visas the employment visas, officially known as 9G visas, of about 2,000 foreign workers in compliance with President Marcos’ order to pull the plug on Pogos by the end of the year.

“We already started the ‘downgrading’ (of their) work visas to tourist visas. That will allow them to settle all their accountabilities, secure clearances and leave the country within 59 days,” he said.

Hontiveros reminded the BI, Pagcor and other involved state agencies that the President’s directive covered all Pogos, IGLs and other similar gambling businesses, such as those granted licenses by special economic zones.

“But we were informed that the outbound flights may not be enough since (December) is a peak period for (foreign) travels,” Tansingco said.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1977764/10...a-deadline