DENR, DOT did not receive application for $500-M Boracay casino

Neither the Department of Tourism (DOT) nor the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has received applications for clearances and permits from the owners of the $500-million casino complex planned for Boracay.

"Officially, the DOT has not received an application for accreditation. Neither the national office or the Region VI office has. We cannot comment until we see the application," Tourism Assistant Secretary Ricky Alegre confirmed Wednesday.

Environmental Undersecretary Jonas Leones noted during a briefing in Manila that neither agencies had any knowledge of the multi-million integrated casino resort announced for Boracay until they saw it on the news.

"When we entered Boracay, our objective there is to really have it cleaned. We have no idea (about) that casino that will be put up in Boracay. But even then, I can say that this casino has not yet submitted any documents to the DENR or even the DOT," Leones said.

Leones said they will be "closely reviewing submissions and determine whether to accept it or deny" in consideration of Boracay's critical environmental state and the long process of assessing the environmental impact of the casino.

A provisional license was granted by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) for the casino by Macau-based company Galaxy Entertainment and their Filipino partner Leisure and Resorts World Corp.

"(From the) initial feedback from our contacts in PAGCOR, it may be even beyond the current administration. Remember, this was launched 2014, then it was the local government unit yung tumatao, to negotiate this. This is not something that's done on a national level," Alegre said.

Building the casino resort will allegedly not be affected by the closure of the island if the proposal of the DENR, DOT, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government to close Boracay for rehabilitation is accepted.

Senators Nancy Binay and Sherwin Gatchalian and Magdalo party-list representative Gary Alejano expressed concerns over the environmental impact the casino may have on the troubled resort island.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu admitted that there was a contradiction in allowing Galaxy Entertainment to build a 23-hectare casino in Boracay while the government frees up space on the island.

Cimatu has ordered a study that may determine if the DENR will grant the casino an environmental compliance certificate (ECC). — MDM, GMA News