An official by the Philippine Department of the Interior and Local Authorities said Wednesday that the authorities would not authorize the construction of a casino hotel on the island of Boracay. The famous tourist destination is currently undergoing ecological rehabilitation, after its April 26 closure.
The Government Department’s Officer-In-Charge Eduardo Año talked at the second Pre-State of the Nation 2018 Forum, that took place Wednesday at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. The official insisted that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte had said no casinos would be allowed about the island and that Boracay was a favorite destination visited by international tourists for its white-sand beaches and it did not need gambling to attract visits.
Mr. Año additional disclosed that there were several Cabinet members who were ardently opposed to the construction of a casino resort on the island, naming Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu who heads the Boracay Rehabilitation Inter-Agency Task Force as one official. The task force was assembled earlier this season to assess the state of Boracay and ascertain whether the island required to be shut down for environmental cleanup.
Boracay was finally shuttered for business for what is intended to be a six-month rehabilitation following a review by the task force found that many companies on the island were discharging untreated waste water directly into the sea.
News emerged late last year which Macau-based operator of integrated resorts Galaxy Entertainment Group had partnered Philippine firm Leisure Resorts & World to build a $500-million casino hotel on Boracay.
Both businesses moved forward with their strategy this spring as they sought authorization to execute the ambitious scheme. It was also reported that Galaxy and its regional partner had purchased a portion of land around the island to develop it into a luxury house with a casino, hotel, and several food and beverage and entertainment centers.
However, the strategy was met with diverse reactions from the Philippine Government and was strongly opposed by President Duterte, who is famous for his normally negative stance toward everything gambling related. The President vowed to prevent the construction of a casino resort this spring and reiterated his devotion earlier this month through an event which was part of the celebrations of the 31st anniversary of the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
The President has also previously said that he plans to give Boracay to its occupants as part of a land reform currently in the functions in the Philippine Government. If employed, the land reform would see nearly 900 hectares of agricultural land being distributed to natives. President Duterte has pointed out that he’d be sure that undeveloped portions of the island would be used for forestry and agricultural purposes only.
