MALAY, Aklan – Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) secretary Roy Cimatu expressed disapproval on the planned construction of a 23-hectare mega casino in Boracay Island.
“Marami namang ibang lugar diyan,” said Cimatu on Friday, hinting that Boracay is not a place for a casino.
Cimatu added that the island resort has “limited capacity” to accommodate such type of structure, especially now that the DENR – one of the three agencies tasked to restore Boracay – is taking measures to bring it back to its former pristine state.
Cimatu and DENR undersecretary Jonas Leones said they have not received any requests for permits for the construction of a casino on the island.
They added that they were caught off guard by the reports that plans to build it are underway.
Cimatu further said they have been planning the rehabilitation and closure of Boracay “months before these reports began to surface.”
President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday approved the recommendation to close the island for six months starting April 26 to pave way for speedy rehabilitation.
The recommendation was jointly made by the DENR, the Department of Tourism, and the Department of Interior and Local Government.
Cimatu said they cannot make official statements about plans of building a casino in Boracay as they have not been approached by any Chinese businessmen.
Nonetheless, Cimatu said if the plan pushes through, the project will have to comply with environmental regulations.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. has granted the Macau-based company Galaxy Entertainment and their Filipino partner Leisure and Resorts World Corp. a provisional license for the casino operation. (With a report from GMA News/PN)
