KALIBO, Aklan – The interagency task force made to “reverse” Boracay’s poor environmental condition will investigate the alleged casino operations in the world-famous island.
Environment undersecretary Sherwin Rigor said on Saturday that the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force considered the matter urgent after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the probe.
“The task force received reports that several casino operators are renting a resort as their venue. The resort will be investigated and charges will be filed,” added Rigor.
Rigor stressed that the President already ordered the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corp. not to allow any casino operation in Boracay.
There were four different casinos that operated in the island before it closed for six months beginning April 26.
These casinos, according to Rigor, had been issued with cease and desist orders.
Boracay was opened to local tourists on Oct. 15 as part of the dry run for its tourism operations. Its official reopening is scheduled on Oct. 26.
The government was bent on limiting the number of tourists coming to Boracay at only 19,215 a day when the island reopens, according to Environment secretary Roy Cimatu.
The daily tourist average was “within the carrying capacity,” he added.
From 6,000 a day, the average number of visitors peaked during February and the Holy Week, reaching up to 7,000, Cimatu said.
“If we could just maintain this one, we are okay,” he added.
The figures Cimatu gave were different from what Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque told a press briefing in Malacañang last week.
“The most important is that they assess that the carrying capacity for Boracay is 19,215 per day including 6,405 tourist arrivals per day,” Roque told Palace reporters.
On Sept. 1, the Department of Tourism released a bulletin listing the 25 compliant establishments that are allowed to operate once Boracay reopens.
These establishments complied with the requirements set by the DENR, DILG and the DOT./PN
