Urban planner Palafox opposes casino-resort plan in Boracay

A well-known figure in urban planning and architecture opposed the plan of a Macau-based company and its local partner to establish a casino-resort complex in Boracay island.

“I’m against it ... It’s the wrong land use, at the wrong place, at the wrong time,” urban planner and architect Jun Palafox told reporters on the sidelines of the Rotary Club of Makati City meeting on Tuesday.

Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd. and its local partner Leisure and Resorts World Corp. intend to build a $500-million casino-resort in a 23-hectare lot in Boracay.

The company was granted a provisional license by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. last month.

Palafox said establishing a casino in Boracay is not a good idea because it will add to congestion in the island.

“Overcapacity na, overloaded na ang Boracay,” he said.

“For gamers or gamblers they don’t need to see the beachfront ... Ang mga casinos walang windows,” Palafox noted.

Palafox said it would be better if the proposed casino will be built in the mainland Aklan.

“Aklan is 5,000 hectares, I mean Malay, Aklan .... Boracay is only 1,000 hectares and it’s so environmentally vulnerable,” he said.

He agrees with the six-month closure and rehabilitation of the island starting April 26.

“I think the six months gives a breathing space for Boracay ... The short-term there will be a lot of sacrifices, lost income maybe jobs and so on.”

President Rodrigo Duterte approved the recommendation of the Departments of Tourism, of Environment and Natural Resources, and of Interior and Local Government to close the island, which he called a “cesspool” to due to the environmental situation. —VDS, GMA News