E-Sabong Ban Threatens More Jobs, Livelihood Lost to Employees
Employees and operators laments their livelihood and income lost due to the ongoing ban of e-sabong or online cockfight.
On May 3, 2022, former President Rodrigo Duterte issued a directive to shut down the $1 billion e-sabong sector. Prior to being shut down, it produced roughly P650 million each month in 2022.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation calculates that the shutdown order cost the country’s economy P5 billion in missed income. The closure order also had an impact on a large number of agricultural and blue-collar workers from companies including commercial farm and backyard breeders, gamefowl purchasers, feeds producers, and veterinary services.
The livelihood of roughly 3.2 million Filipinos who work in various enterprises centered around the industry was in danger due to the ongoing ban on online cockfighting operations, also known as e-sabong. One of individuals who has been severely impacted by the closure is Michael Bulaong, a satellite engineer and former employee of ABS-CBN.
“Parang guguho na po ‘yung mundo ko. Talagang wala na po kaming makakapitan pa na kompanya. Hindi ko nga po alam kung paano ko sasabihin sa kanila (pamilya) kung sakaling mawawalan po ako ulit ng trabaho ngayon kasi nangyari na sa amin noong una, mas masakit naman ngayon,” he said.
According to a Philippine Star article, Bulaong was laid off by ABS-CBN in 2020 when the network failed to extend its franchise. With the closing of e-sabong, Bulaong has suffer the same fate again.
Technical Director Nestor Parane echoed the same views, saying that because the government has not yet made a decision regarding the restoration of e-sabong, they live in constant fear of losing their employment. He claimed that it is quite challenging for them to obtain another work at the age of 47.
“Hindi namin alam kung hanggang kailangan, kung hanggang ilan buwan, o aabot ba ng susunod na taon. Sa edad kong 47, medyo hirap na táyong makahanap ng ibang trabaho,” he said.
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