Environmental questions around Boracay casino

The Environment Secretary from the Philippines raised concerns around the proposed US$500 million casino to be built in Boracay.

Philippines.- Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said on Friday that the US$500 million casino complex should not be built on Boracay island, as it would oppose the idea of rehabilitating the tourist destination.

Cimatu said during a press briefing that “Boracay is not an appropriate place for such type of establishment to operate. There are more places where we can put this casino.” He noted that the island’s limited capacity and an expansion of establishments and the resulting pollution has led to a six-month closure starting April 26th.

The Secretary said that the Environment Department has yet to receive applications for clearances and permits from Galaxy Entertainment and Filipino partner Leisure and Resorts World Corp, the project’s developers.

Galaxy Ent had acquired a 23-hectare slot in Boracay for the casino-hotel project. The company received a provisional licence from Pagcor late last month. Boracay welcomed more than two million domestic and international tourists in 2017.