Duterte rejects casino in Boracay

April 9, 2018

President Rodrigo Duterte said on Monday he would not allow a casino to be established in Boracay island in Aklan.

In a press conference at the Davao airport before leaving for China, Duterte said he will place Boracay under land reform and distribute land to the farmers.

"You want to know now? I'm going to make the announcement. It's going to be a land reform area for the Filipinos...there's no plan for casino," he said.

"Consider Boracay a land reform area. I will give to farmers. To the Filipino first. Why would I give you casino there?," he added.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation earlier said that a $500-million casino would be built in Boracay.

But the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said it has not received any application for a casino.

Even DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu has personally expressed opposition against a casino in Boracay. He has said this could be built in another place.

Duterte said his order to concerned government officials is to clean Boracay.

"I am going to sign the proclamation of calamity. And we can make available about 2 billion (pesos) of assistance but these are only for the poor Filipinos. I will not spend any single centavo for those inns there, hotel owners or motels. And those beautiful houses, do not expect me to pay anything," he said.

Duterte said the P2 billion is for Filipinos only, while foreigners would not receive any reparation or remuneration because they allegedly illegally entered in the area.

But he admitted there was no master plan yet for the island.

"I don't have master plan there. I will clean it up first because it's an agricultural (land)," he added.

Duterte has ordered Boracay to be closed from tourists for six months starting April 26. Celerina Monte/DMS