Boracay casinos for poll fund-raising?

MANILA, Philippines — Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate slammed yesterday President Duterte’s decision to allow casino operations on Boracay Island, saying it could be related to next year’s elections.

“It is actually just a ploy to raise more election funds for his clique’s candidates and strategically give the monopoly of casino operations to his allies through the Boracay Island Development Authority (BIDA),” Zarate, head of the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives, said.

He said the proposed BIDA Act would give the agency the authority to “contract, lease, buy, sell, acquire, own or dispose real property of whatever nature.”

Zarate said residents of the island were right in doubting the real purpose of the closure of casinos in 2018 to “pave the way for big businesses and foreign investors, big casinos and corporate profiteering and control.”

He said the proposed BIDA Act would put micro and small business owners as well as indigenous peoples at a grave disadvantage.

Councilor Maylynn Aguirre-Graf opposed the reopening of casinos in Boracay, saying the island has always been promoted as a family destination and wholesome island resort.

Boracay Foundation Inc. chairman Dionisio Salme said they have yet to come up with a common stand on the issue.

In his pre-recorded address last week, Duterte said he is now in favor of building a casino in Boracay, saying the government needs funds.

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. chairperson Andrea Domingo said yesterday the President has given the go-signal for Macau-based Galaxy Entertainment Group and tycoon Andrew Tan to proceed with their plans to put up integrated casino-resort projects on the island.

The Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) said it would carry out the necessary steps in keeping with the President’s directive even as it stressed the need for businesses to submit to requirements and accreditation processes.

Only those found compliant will be issued permits to operate, it said.

The BIATF said concerned line agencies would carry out their mandates to ensure the environmental sustainability of the island.