Duterte favors Boracay casinos, defends dolomite beach

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has changed his stance and is now in favor of building a casino on Boracay Island, saying the government needs funds.

“Now, you’ll say, ‘This Duterte, you said you don’t want gambling, and now you encourage the opening of a gamble house in Boracay for tourists?’” Duterte said in his pre-recorded address aired Thursday night.

“Please forgive me for the contradiction. Now we don’t have money. Wherever we get money, I’ll take it. If that’s from gambling, so be it,” he said.

“If I were wrong there, yes, I am wrong. If I didn’t stand by my word, yes that’s right, but I need money to run the government because I have a lot to finance,” the President said.

In April 2018, the Duterte administration shelved a plan by Macau’s Galaxy Entertainment Group to build a $500-million integrated casino-resort in the famous holiday island.

Located in Aklan, Boracay was closed for six months in 2018 to undergo rehabilitation after Duterte called it a “cesspool” due to pollution.

Meanwhile, the President also defended the overlaying of dolomite sand on the shore of Manila Bay.

In his taped “Talk to the People,” Duterte praised Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu for the rehabilitation of Manila Bay.

“Dolomite is beautiful to the eyes. Period,” the President said. “Do not ask, because you cannot do it…

“For so many years, you had every chance to do it. Was there anybody willing to take the problem by its horns? It’s only Cimatu. So let’s thank him,” he said.

The Manila Bay white sand beach project drew flak, with critics saying it should not be done during a pandemic.

Marine experts have also warned that crushed dolomite poses health problems when inhaled.

The government has allocated P349 million to transform a portion of Manila Bay into a white sand beach.