MANILA – Residents of Boracay should have been consulted on the planned operation of a mega casino in the world-famous island resort, according to Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III.
There is a “growing” opposition to the proposed casino in the island that is currently facing garbage and sewerage problems, he observed.
The state-owned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. issued last week a provincial license for a $500-million integrated casino resort in Boracay.
“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.
Galaxy Entertainment Group, which operates hotels and casinos in Macau, China, has partnered with the local Leisure and Resorts World Corp. to operate a mega casino in Boracay.
Speaking in general terms, Pimentel said casino operators should consult first with the host community.
“Let us adopt the spirit of federalism – let the people take part in the decision if a casino should be built in their locality,” said Pimentel.
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.
“Federalism is about empowering people by involving them in the decision-making process,” said the Senate president.
The sentiments of the host community should be expressed through a resolution of the Sangguniang Panlungsod or Sangguniang Bayan of the host local government unit, he added.
“Even if the shift to a federal form of government has not happened yet, there is no legal impediment to adopting the principle of consultation,” said Pimentel.
Detained Sen. Leila de Lima warned the island could become a “gambling haven” while Sen. Nancy Binay said it could further strain Boracay’s capacity to handle mega infrastructures and people.
Meanwhile, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) secretary Roy Cimatu said cleanup activities in Boracay will continue this Holy Week.
The cleanup is being fast-tracked to comply with the order of President Rodrigo Duterte to address the environmental problems on the tourist island in six months.
“We have five months to go,” said Cimatu on Tuesday.
The priority, he said, is to solve the island’s drainage and sewerage system problems, as well as to continue the crackdown on illegal establishments on easements, and buildings encroaching on forestland and wetlands.
As of March 23, the Environment department has already issued 74 notices to establishments encroaching on forestlands and wetlands to vacate.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, on the other hand, said the move to temporarily close Boracay has nothing to do with the construction of two new casinos on the island, but only to fix top tourist spot’s environmental woes.
He also said a moratorium on building construction on Boracay, presented by the municipal government of Malay, is expected to be implemented starting June.
“I don’t really know how the temporary closure will affect the casinos because they will have to construct. But what I do know is there’s a moratorium in place for any further improvements in Boracay.”/PN
