More W. Visayas, Negros bishops join Boracay casino opposition
By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan
ILOILO CITY — More Catholic bishops and archbishops from Western Visayas and Negros Occidental have joined the call to oppose casino operations in Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan, urging government officials and business leaders to prioritize families, workers, and vulnerable communities over gambling revenues.
In a joint statement dated Oct. 20 but published on the Diocese of Kalibo’s Facebook page only on Saturday, Nov. 7, the prelates expressed solidarity with the diocese and Kalibo Bishop Cyril Villareal, who had earlier opposed the opening and operation of a casino in Boracay.
Villareal was the first to issue a statement on Oct. 5 and was joined by Capiz Archbishop Victor Bendico and Romblon Bishop Narciso Abellana days later, in a joint statement on Oct. 7.
This time, they were joined by Jaro Archbishop Midyphil Billones and Jaro Archbishop Emeritus Jose Romeo Lazo, as well as Bishops Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos, Louie Galbines of Bacolod, and Marvyn Maceda of San Jose de Antique.
Bishops Emeriti Patricio Buzon of Bacolod and Jose Corazon Tala-oc of Kalibo also signed.
“We recognize the importance of tourism, investment, and employment in Boracay,” the bishops said in the Oct. 20 statement.
“However, development must serve the human person, not sacrifice human dignity and family welfare for profit,” they added.
The bishops warned that gambling addiction could lead to mounting debts, depleted savings, broken trust, marital conflict, and child neglect, with money intended for food, education, and health care potentially lost in the pursuit of quick winnings.
Citing the Catechism of the Catholic Church, they said the passion for gambling could become a form of enslavement.
They also expressed concern that the expansion of casino operations could heighten social risks, including the exploitation of vulnerable people, prostitution, human trafficking, substance abuse, gambling-related fraud, and other crimes.
The bishops clarified that these consequences should not be treated as inevitable or automatically attributed to every casino, but said the risks to individuals and communities should be weighed against the profits gambling operations could generate.
They appealed to the national government, the Aklan provincial and Malay municipal governments, relevant national agencies, business leaders, and other concerned sectors to consider the long-term social costs of casino operations, listen to affected communities, and prioritize the protection of families and vulnerable people.
The prelates also called on Catholic communities and people of goodwill to promote honest work, responsible stewardship of resources, and compassion for those struggling with gambling addiction, who need understanding, support, and appropriate assistance.
“No to gambling casinos in Boracay,” the statement said.
“Yes to development that protects families, dignifies work, and serves the common good,” it added.
The bishops acknowledged the importance of tourism, investment, and employment to Boracay but maintained that economic progress need not depend on casinos.
They called for responsible tourism, environmental stewardship, dignified employment, and opportunities that strengthen families and communities, saying development must uphold human dignity and serve the common good.
The statement comes amid the operation of KABAN Hotel and Casino Boracay, which opened at Station 0 in Barangay Yapak on Sept. 16.
The six-story property has 88 hotel rooms and a 2,000-square-meter casino licensed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
It is part of a 23-hectare development by Golden TW Realty and Development Corp.
The developer has said that about 40 percent of the property’s employees are from Aklan.
Church opposition to casinos on the island dates back to at least 2003, when a PAGCOR-proposed casino complex was shelved following public protests.
In 2021, then-President Rodrigo Duterte reversed his 2018 stance against casinos on Boracay and allowed casino operations on the island to raise government revenues.
The reversal drew opposition from the Diocese of Kalibo, the Aklan provincial government, and island residents, and prompted a collegial statement against Boracay casinos from Western Visayas and Romblon bishops on Oct. 4, 2021.
Comments (0)
LEAVE A REPLY
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts!
Related Articles
ILOILO CITY PUTS UP PHP 13M FOR LONG-TERM FLOOD SOLUTIONS: PHP 6M Jaro River survey, PHP 7M drainage master plan to guide flood mitigation, river rehabilitation
ILOILO CITY – The Iloilo City government is stepping up efforts to address recurring flooding, allocating more than PHP 13 million for a comprehensive approach that combines scientific studies, river boundary delineation and long-term drainage planning. Mayor Raisa S. Treñas said the city government has allocated PHP 6,028,860 to fully fund the long-delayed Cadastral Line
El Niño drains PHP 465.7M from Western Visayas farms
ILOILO CITY — The early effects of El Niño have caused PHP 465.7 million in agricultural damage in Western Visayas, with Capiz and Iloilo bearing the brunt, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council 6 (RDRRMC-6) reported. Raul Fernandez, director of the Office of Civil Defense 6 (OCD-6) and chair
New MORE Power substation to ease City Proper low voltage
ILOILO CITY — MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) is fast-tracking the completion of its General Hughes Substation in the City Proper District, with energization targeted before the end of 2026. The power distributor said the project aims to give consumers in the district a reliable power supply before