Casinos in Boracay: bane or boon?

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The local government of Malay, Aklan has nothing against allowing casinos to operate in Boracay Island.

Malay acting Mayor Frolibar Bautista said that he understands the idea behind President Rodrigo Duterte’s latest pronouncement in lifting the casino ban in the Island.

“We know the purpose of the reopening. Kinahanglan gid man naton ang kwarta, di ba? Bal-an man naton nga naga problema ang gobyerno subong,” he said

(We really need money, right? We know that the government has a problem on funds right now.)

Under the law, the LGU where the casino is located will be entitled to 5 percent of the proceeds from the casino income.

That amount, Bautista said, could help in the town’s income-generating efforts, especially that the pandemic has taken a heavy toll on Boracay’s tourism industry.

Bautista said he has not received any report that someone has filed for a building permit for a proposed casino.

He said that they’re still waiting for an executive order to formalize the president’s pronouncement.

Duterte banned casinos in Boracay in 2018 following the island’s six-month closure over rehabilitation efforts.

His decision has affected multi-million-dollar potential investments, including Macao’s Galaxy Entertainment Group and tycoon Andrew Tan to pursue integrated resort projects in the area.

In 2017, the Malay local government passed Resolution No. 0068-2017, which declared a 15-year moratorium on endorsements for the operation of casinos, gaming junkets, legal gambling activities, and other PAGCOR and GAB-sanctioned gaming operations in Boracay and mainland Malay.

It was approved during the council’s session on July 4, 2017.

But before the passage, several casinos were given endorsements by the Sangguniang Bayan of Malay.

Before Duterte announced the casino ban in 2018, one resort ran a full casino operation and at least two junket casinos in the island, Bautista confirmed.

With Duterte’s pronouncement, those who were already given endorsements prior to the 2017 moratorium could just renew their license and business permits again.

When asked if he received any opposition from groups or residents about the lifting of the ban on casino operations, Bautista said there’s nothing new about it.

“It’s normal that there will be opposition. It happens anywhere in the Philippines. But come to think of it, there are other forms of gambling that exist: STL, Peryahan ng Bayan, online sabong. And these are the games where common people play,” he said.

In the case of Boracay casinos, the Sangguniang Bayan endorsement clearly states that only tourists are allowed to play.

“Bawal ang mga locals. That’s only exclusive for tourists,” he said.

Bautista made the clarification after some Boracay residents and netizens expressed disapproval on Duterte’s pronouncement that would allow the revival of casino operations on Boracay.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque has confirmed over the weekend that Duterte has thumbed up the casino operations as “part of the revenue-generating efforts of the government to augment funds for COVID-19 response.”

Facebook user Gil delos Santos said he disapproves casinos in Boracay citing that it would be a threat to peace and order.

“Most casino operations are linked to mafia organizations,” he said.

He also claimed that Boracay is marketed for family travelers and not for gamblers.

Another Facebook user, Charm Carpio de Leon, said the government should instead focus on local tourism campaigns, help island workers or strengthen sustainable promotions among tourists to enjoy our own local destinations.

“A casino won’t solve the island’s tourism struggles,” she said.

Another netizen, Levsky Salabdron Bacutoc, lamented the move saying that while casinos would be allowed to open, those in the business of barbershop, salons, and spa are still not back in business.

For Rolex Subron Gonzales, he is in favor of the casino operations if they would employ locals or Aklan residents.

Meanwhile, Dionisio Salme, chairman of the Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI), has declined for an interview in the meantime.

In a text message, he said, “the board has yet to meet this week for a common stand. No comment yet po. Thanks.”