DENR chief Cimatu not in favor of casino project in Boracay

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu on Friday expressed disapproval on the planned construction of a 23-hectare casino in Boracay.

Fielding questions from the press at the DENR Central Office, Cimatu said, “Marami namang ibang lugar diyan,” and hinted that Boracay is not the place for this type of establishment, citing the famous island’s limited capacity and the DENR’s personal goal to restore it to its former pristine state.

Cimatu and Undersecretary Jonas Leones said they have not received any requests for permits for the construction of a casino on the island and were caught off guard by the reports that plans to build it are already underway.

Cimatu further clarified that they have been planning the rehabilitation and closure of Boracay “months before these reports began to surface.”

President Rodrigo Duterte, during Wednesday's Cabinet meeting in Malacañang, approved the recommendation of three government agencies for a six-month closure of Boracay effective April 26 to make way for its rehabilitation.

The proposal came from the DENR and the Departments of the Interior and Local Government, and of Tourism.

In the same briefing, Cimatu said they cannot make official statements about plans of building a casino in Boracay as they have not been approached by any Chinese businessmen.

Nonetheless, Cimatu said if the plan pushes through, the project will have to comply with environmental regulations.

A provisional license was granted by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. for the casino by Macau-based company Galaxy Entertainment and their Filipino partner Leisure and Resorts World Corp. —KBK, GMA News