Tourism chief says no to casinos in Boracay

The executive said that casinos will not be allowed on the island after it reopens on October 26th.

Philippines.- Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said on Monday that neither new nor existing casinos will be allowed to operate in Boracay after it reopens later this year. The island has been closed for a few months and is expected to be operational again on October 26th.

“He has even instructed the Department of Tourism to close down the existing casinos in the island. So there will be no casinos at all in Boracay,” Puyat said during a forum at World Trade Center Metro Manila. He revealed that the measure is in accordance with President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive.

“I have to check the existence of casinos there. There are resorts. If there are resorts doing casino operations, we have to ascertain their permits if they are really operating with permits,” added Tourism Undersecretary Arturo Boncato Jr.

On the other hand, House Committee on Games and Amusement Chairman, Rep. Gus Tambunting said that the tourism department has no jurisdiction to decide whether casinos can operate in the island or not. “I do not believe the Department of Tourism can shut down existing casinos for the simple reason that PAGCOR has primary jurisdiction over all casinos and not the DOT. The concerned government agencies must act within their jurisdiction.”

Last week, Francis Lui Yiu Tung, vice-chairman of Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd, said during a company press conference in Hong Kong that Galaxy actually shares the same vision as the president when it comes to Boracay’s environmental issues. “I hope that we would be able to work with our local partners to explain to the Philippine authorities that their vision is the same as ours,” the executive stated. “Boracay is unique. To find another beautiful island with an international airport, close to China and Macau; there aren’t any, so I still prefer Boracay,” said Mr Lui.