Philippine government reassures Boracay’s casino ban

The Department of Tourism stood by President Duterte’s statement about the no casino policy in the island.

Philippines.- After the island of Boracay was closed by the Philippine government for a clean-up, President Rodrigo Duterte confirmed his stance on the casino ban in the area. There seems to be no way back as the Department of Tourism (DOJ) has stood by Duterte’s statements and said there won’t be any gaming venues in the island.

“The President recently reiterated to the DOT his earlier position against the entry of casino operations in Boracay,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Fatima Romulo Puyat told news outlet BusinessMirror. “This is in line with the desire of the DOT and tourism stakeholders in Boracay to further develop the island as a sustainable and family-oriented destination,” she added.

Officials from the Leisure and Resorts World Corp (LRWC) have already confirmed that the plan for its integrated casino resort on Boracay is still on the table. LRWC scored a provisional licence from PAGCOR and plans to get the venue ready by 2021.

Meanwhile, casino restrictions seem to be irreversible and only those resorts or hotels with the DOJ’s accreditation will be allowed to reopen in Boracay on October 26. “I confirmed it with the President, and his stand is, ‘there would be no casinos in Boracay.’ The President’s stand has not changed,” Ms Romulo Puyat said.