MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) clarified on Friday that it has no involvement in the promotion or construction of casinos on Boracay Island.
Tourism secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat made the clarification when asked about the agency’s plans to promote tourism should casinos begin their operations in Boracay following President Rodrigo Duterte’s orders.
“Kabahagi ba ng inyong very aggressive campaign sa tourism sector na i-promote ang Philippines as gambling tourism haven, especially (since) the ban on casinos has been lifted by the President?,” Bayan Muna representative Carlos Zarate asked Romulo-Puyat during the budget hearing of the DOT at the House of Representatives.
“When you say casinos, it’s under [Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation] mister chair, and that’s not under the Department of Tourism,” Romulo-Puyat told lawmakers.
Zarate then asked if the DOT is studying the possibility of attracting tourists, or who are the target market for the opening of casinos in the first place.
“When we promote the country, we promote sun and beach,” the secretary explained. “Right now, ang hinahanap ng travelers abroad ay how safe to travel to the country once restrictions are lifted. Hinahanap nila kung bakunado ba ang ating tourism workers which we are doing.”
Zarate then countered the secretary, saying Boracay has been offering the ‘sun and beach’ ever since. He asked if Romulo-Puyat supports Duterte’s decision on casinos in Boracay.
“That is the decision of the president, so we follow the president,” Romulo-Puyat replied.
Last month, Duterte lifted the ban on casino operations in Boracay to generate taxes to augment the country’s coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic response funds.(CNN)
