Boracay IATF: Casino operations to conform with existing law

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Amid talks of revival of casino operations in Boracay Island, a multi-agency task force has assured that existing laws would be followed.

In a joint statement relative to President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive allowing casinos in Boracay Island, the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) said that “will be in accordance with existing laws and that each line agency will continue carrying out the respective mandates with the goal of ensuring the environmental sustainability of the island.”

Further, the BIATF added that “all businesses are reminded to submit to the requirements and accreditation processes, as the BIATF will practice due diligence to ensure that only those who are compliant will be issued the necessary permits.”

“In line with the President’s latest pronouncement that casinos will now be allowed to operate in Boracay Island to augment government funds, the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force, chaired by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and co-chaired by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Department of Tourism (DOT) will carry out the necessary steps towards the direction.”

Just like other businesses, casinos will operate in accordance with the existing laws, the BIATF stressed.

The group also assured that each line agency will continue carrying out their respective mandates with the goal of ensuring the environmental sustainability of the island.

“All businesses are reminded to submit to the requirements and accreditation processes, as the BIATF will practice due diligence to ensure that only those who are compliant will be issued the necessary permits,” the BIATF statement added.

On Tuesday, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) said that Duterte has given the green light  for the plans of Macau-based Galaxy Entertainment Group and tycoon Andrew Tan to push through with their plans to put up integrated casino-resort projects in the island.

 

OPPOSITION

But while the government is all set for the casino revival in Boracay, locals and Boracay business leaders continue to oppose such business.

Malay municipal councilor Maylynn “Nenette” Aguirre-Graf, also from the Boracay Foundation, Inc. (BFI), said that she is personally opposed to opening Boracay to casinos.

“I believe Boracay is not for people (gamblers) because it has always been promoted as a family destination, a wholesome resort island. So, why change its image?” she said.

On top of that, Graf believed that “casinos are always synonymous to criminality, drugs, prostitution, money laundering, and displacement of the community, among others.”

She noted that Boracay has been through all the hardships since the closure in 2018.

“The island is still undergoing rehabilitation and the environment have to recover so that tourism will be sustained.  Unfortunately, the cause of Boracay closure which the President called a cesspool, the drainage is not yet finished after almost 3 years. The construction is going really slow. Why?” she quipped.

“And here comes another pronouncement of the president to open Boracay to casino businesses, going against the gains of the rehabilitation, ‘di ba? May carrying capacity pa di ba?” she said.

Dionisio Salme, BFI chairman, earlier declined an interview in the meantime saying that, “the board has yet to meet this week for a common stand.”

When asked again if the BFI has already discussed the matter, he said they have yet to meet as their priority is the vaccination roll out.

The local government of Malay, Aklan has earlier said they see nothing wrong in allowing casinos to operate in Boracay Island.

Malay acting Mayor Frolibar Bautista said that they understood the logic behind the lifting of the casino ban, which is to help the government raise funds for its Covid-19 response.

On top of that, the LGU where the casino is located will be entitled to its 5 percent proceeds from the casino income.

That amount, Bautista said, could help in the town’s income-generating efforts, especially that the pandemic has taken a toll on Boracay tourism industry.

It can be noted that Duterte banned casinos in Boracay in 2018 following the island’s six-month closure over rehabilitation efforts.

His decision has affected multi-million-dollar potential investments, including Macao’s Galaxy Entertainment Group and local tycoon Andrew Tan to pursue integrated-resort projects in the area.