Row with DENR sparks increased sale of units in Boracay hotel

MANILA, Philippines - A hotel chain putting up the P1.2-billion Boracay Crown Regency Hotel and Convention Center on Monday reported an increase in its sales despite rising unit price, thanks to the controversy generated by its row with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). According to Richard King, president of J. King & Sons Company Inc., which owned the Crown Regency hotels in the country, they have already pre-sold 25 percent of the project’s units and that they remain on target in selling all of its 457 units in two years. "We continue to receive purchase tenders and inquiries from buyers and prospective investors," King said. "It is obvious that the DENR has not succeeded in discrediting our project in the eyes of the public, as evidenced by the fact that we have not experienced any cancellation of orders up to now," he added. The DENR wanted the construction of the Boracay Crown Regency Hotel and Convention Center stopped as it is reportedly being built on a reclaimed wet land area in the country's premier resort island. The agency last month filed a complaint against Mayor Ceciron Cawaling and Engr. Elizer Casidsid before the Office of the Ombudsman in Quezon City, charging that they “miserably failed to control the construction frenzy” in Boracay despite the moratorium imposed by the municipal government. The complaint included J. King & Sons Company Inc. in its list of respondents. King also said that they have decided to increase the prices of the units by P1 million each following the introduction of more features and amenities to enhance the value of the project, and in the wake of reported higher demand for the condotel units in Boracay. Prices of each condotel unit in Boracay Crown Regency Hotel and Convention Center range from P5 million to P10 million. He also said the market continues to register strong confidence and faith in their project and the company despite the alleged harassment being fielded against them by the DENR. When completed, approximately by 2010, Boracay Crown Regency Hotel and Convention Center is said to become the biggest hotel facility and largest convention area in the world-renowned tourist destination of the Philippines. Meanwhile, King said that they have decided to go "all-out" in their information campaign "to educate and update the public on the real issues" behind the DENR's order to stop the construction of their project. "We have documents to show that we are on the side of truth. All our decision and actions are above-board while the DENR is merely making verbal accusations," he said. - GMANews.TV