Nitya Aku

House Representative of Iloilo’s 1st district, Janette Garin proposed to utilize the raided POGO Hubs into student dormitories, during the plenary discussions of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) 2025 budget, September 18.

Photo Courtesy of Daily Guardian/Bombo Radyo.

Garin highlighted the financial burden on students provided that the dormitory fees are mostly controlled by the private sector. 

“Actually, one of the most challenging expenses for the student is the boarding house, the dormitory, especially since mostly the private sector provides this. And the price, the fee, cannot be controlled,” she stated.  

Due to POGO hubs’ involvement in several illegal activities, they were banned by President Marcos during the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 23. 

Marcos cited the prevalence of scams, money laundering, prostitution, and human trafficking linked to POGOs as reasons for the shutdown. 

"The grave abuse and disrespect to our system of laws must stop," he emphasized.

 Garin, along with other government sectors such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) suggested repurposing these raided centers. 

ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro agreed with Garin, saying “That’s also a good suggestion. It still needs to be studied further.” 

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz recognized the excellent conditions of these hubs, making them feasible for government use. 

"That's very feasible. The properties we seized, such as those in Bamban, are exceptionally nice," Cruz said during the Bagong Pilipinas pre-State of the Nation interview.

While Garin acknowledged that this is not practical for POGO hubs throughout the country, repurposing the hubs will benefit students and serve as extension campuses.

"This solution offers more than just housing—it gives students a fair chance to succeed," Garin stated. 

This suggestion also aligns with the Chief of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Rex Gatchalian's statement, which has presented a similar vision. 

The raided hubs can also serve as shelters for the homeless and provide refuge for individuals affected by current calamities. 

"We indicated our desire that, if the government no longer has use for these properties, we are always ready to convert them as shelters," Gatchalian reiterated.

The government has already taken steps in this direction, with a former POGO hub in Pasay City now being used as a sanctuary. 

As discussions continue, repurposing these facilities could provide a promising solution to housing shortages for students and vulnerable populations.