MANILA – Macau casino operator Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd. is not pursuing its plan to build a $500-million casino resort on Boracay Island, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT).
The company is looking for a new site for its casino project, said Tourism assistant secretary Frederick Alegre yesterday.
Last week, President Rodrigo Duterte said he was against the operation of casino in Boracay.
“Galaxy Entertainment said it is looking for another venue. This is very much welcome,” said Alegre at a press briefing on Boracay’s rehabilitation plans.
The local partner of Galaxy Entertainment Group, however, denied Alegre’s statement. According to Leisure and Resorts World Corp., “both parties have not reached any final decision regarding its planned Boracay resort project.”
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) issued last month a provisional license to Galaxy Entertainment Group and Leisure and Resorts World to build a casino resort in the world-famous island.
This attracted a lot of attention due to the impending six-month closure of Boracay for rehabilitation as directed by the President who called the island a “cesspool.”
In a statement, Leisure and Resorts World said, “Following protocol, no change in plans or project location would be made without prior consultation and agreement with Pagcor.”
Alegre said Galaxy Entertainment Group would have to go through another process of accreditation to secure a new provisional authority to operate in another area yet to be determined.
“The whole process will be repeated,” said Alegre.
Leisure and Resorts World, however, said, “Contrary to claims that Galaxy has abandoned its planned Boracay project, no such announcement has been made nor communicated with Pagcor.”
Critics said Boracay’s impending closure and cleanup were just a ruse to accommodate the mega casino of Galaxy Entertainment Group.
“Wala akong plano diyan na casino-casino. Tama na ‘yan kasi sobra na. Casino dito, casino doon…My order was (just) to clean it up,” said Duterte on April 9.
The President said, “Far (from) it actually. I never said about building anything or even a nipa hut there…So mag-clean(up), sarado. There’s one way in, one way out.”
After Galaxy Entertainment Group’s mega Boracay casino was bared, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III noted a “growing” opposition to the plan.
The world-famous island resort was already mired in garbage and sewerage problems, he said.
It then became apparent that the locals were not consulted about the casino plan.
“I urge the councils, let your people be heard. Consult them, pass resolutions reflecting their concerns and present the results to Pagcor and the investors,” said Pimentel.
Detained Sen. Leila de Lima warned Boracay could become a “gambling haven” while Sen. Nancy Binay, chairperson of the Senate tourism committee, said the casino could further strain the island’s capacity to handle mega infrastructures and people.
Speaking in general terms, Pimentel said casino operators should first consult the host community.
Boracay is under the jurisdiction of the municipality of Malay, Aklan. The island also has three barangay councils – those of the villages of Manoc-Manoc, Yapak and Balabag.
Because casinos have advantages and disadvantages, all stakeholders should have full participation in the decision-making, said Pimentel./PN
