Casino project pushing through amid possible Boracay closure —Palace

The firms behind the multi-million-dollar casino project in Boracay are investing in the island amid the possibility that President Rodrigo Duterte could order its closure to allow environmental rehabilitation in the area, Malacañang said on Tuesday.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque denied that Duterte's threat to close down the island to tourists had something to do with the $500-million casino resort hotel that Leisure and Resorts World Corp. planned to put up with Macau's Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd.

"Because the President has not given any specific directive on what to do with Boracay, they invest in the Philippines subject to the caveat that the President may decide to include in his decision, a possible closure of Boracay,"Roque said at a news briefing.

LRWC on Monday confirmed that its casino resort hotel project was pushing through as planned.

The government, through the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, is expected to sign the contract with LRWC for their provisional license before the end of the month.

"Number one, there is no decision made by the President yet. There is a recommendation," Roque said.

"The President will act on the recommendation and I see no link between the casino and whatever decision, the President will make. His decision will depend exclusively on what is best to protect the environment of Boracay," he added.

The Departments of Environment and Natural Resources, Interior and Local Government, and Tourism have recommended the closure of Boracay for up to a year.

The agencies underscored the need to give ample time to implement the measures aimed at restoring and eventually sustaining Boracay as a prime tourism destination.

The measures include upgrading the sewerage system, including sewer lines, installation of all the required solid waste management facilities and mechanisms, removal of illegal structures in forests and wetlands, easement areas and even geologically hazardous areas such as those with sink holes, road widening and construction, pipe laying and excavations, and rationalization of a transportation system.

The DENR had cracked down on commercial establishments in Boracay after Duterte accused businesses of turning the island into a cesspool.

Duterte earlier said that he will shut down the resort island if its sewage problem would remain unresolved in six months.

He also threatened to slap sedition charges against those who would actively resist his plan to restore Boracay to its "pristine state." —NB, GMA News