High-end resort in Boracay wetland faces possible demolition

A high-end resort on Boracay Island is under close scrutiny for possible violations, even as the dismantling of illegal structures in the world-famous destination continues amid a looming one-year shutdown that is set to begin next month.

Citing information from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), GMA News' "Balitanghali" reported Thursday that the high-end resort is built in a wetland area.

Likewise, the report said that demolition of illegal structures have continued in the run-up to the scheduled shutdown in April. 

Amid demolition activities, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) last Wednesday signed a provisional license for the Leisure and Resorts World Corporation –in a joint venture with the Galaxy International Group –to build a 250-bedroom hotel with casino project in Barangay Manok-Manok staring 2019.

PAGCOR's Andrea Domingo said, "We have seen the plans and we think that they would be able to sustain and maintain an environment-friendly resort."

According to Francis Lui, vice-chairperson of the Galaxy Entertainment Group, they are allocating $500 million for the project that will take three years to finish.

On the other hand, the Malay local government has already given a resolution of endorsement for the project but no permit yet for development with the absence of an Environment Compliance Certificate from the DENR, the report added.

Meanwhile, DENR Undersecretary Ipat Luna said that her agency is still studying  the land titles of the Galaxy group as Boracay is vastly classified as timber land, which cannot be used without government permit.

But Senators Nancy Binay and Win Gatchalian have expressed doubts over the project, raising the "absorptive" and "carrying capacity" of the Island-resort.

Over the weekend, resort owners, residents, tourists, and people with businesses on the island staged a protest action against the looming shutdown.

An inter-agency recommendation to shut down the island for one year stemmed from President Rodrigo Duterte's remark in early February, threatening to close Boracay as it has become a "cesspool" because of poor sewerage system.

Later, he ordered Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu "to clean" Boracay in six months.

In mid-March, the Senate led and inquiry into Boracay's woes, together with the DENR and other concerned agencies.

After the probe, the DENR, the Interior and Local Government, and the Department of Tourism recommended the  total closure for one year to give way for its full rehabilitation. —LBG, GMA News