Carlos Zarate, the Bayan Muna party-list representative, shared his fears related to the Boracay Island casino resort project, saying that the environmental issues which have recently emerged were only being used as a cover-up in order to help Duterte administration allow the casino project construction there.
According to Mr. Zarate, the project for the $500-million casino that is set to be constructed in the popular summer tourist destination could cause some damage not only on the environment of the island, but on its social landscape as well.
He released a statement, saying that at a time when concerns were being raised on the possible impact that the project could have on Boracay’s environment, the planned casino resort not only came at the wrong time, but was also controversial, as the President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration had been considering to close the island for such activities yet allowing the proposed casino’s construction. According to Mr. Zarate, Leisure and Resorts World Corp., which is the local partner of Galaxy Entertainment in the Boracay casino project, is controlled by people close to the Duterte administration.
The provisional license for the Boracay casino has already been signed by the local gambling regulator. The Bayan Muna party-list Representative further shared that it was absolutely normal for the wider public to speculate that the alleged cooperation between the Filipino company and the President Duterte administration would be beneficial for the company, especially considering the Government’s decision to close Boracay island.
DENR Says Boracay Casino Contradicts Island’s Closure
As mentioned above, Mr. Zarate explained that the environmental and sanitation issues which were pointed as the main issue for closing the island were not only being used as a cover-up to actually allow the Boracay casino resort, but also as a serious leverage against local residents. He confirmed that the environmental and social problems of the island had been neglected for years and have to be addressed for sure, but not at the expense of people.
Previously, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has recommended the closure of Boracay Island for a period of six months, with April 26th being mentioned as the starting date. According to DENR, the $500-million casino resort that is set to be constructed on the island, comes in contradiction to the decision of the island’s closure. Reportedly, Boracay’s closure is set to see some efforts to be made in terms of the island’s rehabilitation and environmental clean-up.
However, a few weeks ago, the Macau-based Galaxy Entertainment Group and its local partner Leisure and Resorts World Corp. revealed their willingness to construct a casino resort on the island. As mentioned above, the Philippine gambling regulatory authority has already granted the companies with a provisional casino license.
The news for the casino resort construction faced the eager opposition of some environmental groups as well as of local residents, who shared their concern with the possible negative effect that the property could have on the island’s environment and community.
- Author
Daniel Williams
