Duterte “not inclined” to change Boracay’s forestal status

April 13, 2018

DAVAO CITY – Investors, and those wanting to pour money into Boracay, including setting up a casino, would only risk their money as President Rodrigo Duterte said he was not inclined to change the forestal category of the place.

Reiterating his position before departing here on April 9 for his working visit to China and Hong Kong that week, Duterte said investors would only be putting at risk their money on Boracay “because I am not inclined to make it for commercial use”.

“I am not inclined to sign any declaration to change its category to commercial up to the end of my term,” added Duterte, who arrived Friday from his working visit.

His statement was his response to petitions from local politicians and local business owners that government reconsiders Duterte’s order to close the island resort to tourists on April 26.

Duterte said the environmental abuse on Boracay needed government to close it to curb the attitude by resort owners and revellers.

He said the abuse has been there “and I have to close it to clean it”.

After closure, Duterte said, he would opt to give the island back to its residents.  “I would prefer Filipinos using it than giving it to foreigners.”

He said he conferred with former President Gloria Arroyo on the Boracay issue and Arroyo had told him she had not issued or signed any declaration segregating Boracay from its forestal category to commercial.

“I would like to declare it a land reform area rather,” he said.

Through this, Duterte said, the country’s other, and equal premier tourism destinations may have their  chance to show “what the Philippines can offer”, citing Palawan, Siargao Island of Surigao and Camiguin Island off Misamis Oriental. DMS