Island shutdown began April 26
The Philippine partner of global gaming operator Galaxy Entertainment Group continues to acquire land on the holiday island of Boracay, despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement that no new casinos will be built there.
Municipal Executive Assistant for Boracay Affairs Rowen Aguirre told the Philippine Star that LRWC is “still in negotiations with several other property owners for additional acquisition.” The partnership has already accumulated 23 hectares (57 acres) for its proposed US$500 million integrated resort.
According to CNN Philippines, Aguirre also confirmed that the partners were awarded a provisional license for development from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., the state-run gaming regulator. They reportedly also received a Letter of No Objection from local authorities. Aguirre said there was no objection because the site, in Barangay Manoc-Manoc, is in an underdeveloped area.
President Rodrigo Duterte has maintained there is no plan to put up a casino on the island, but confusion continues. Ricky Alegre of the Philippine Department of Tourism recently stated that Galaxy is seeking a new venue for its IR, but the department has since retracted that assertion. And LWRC’s website stated, “Contrary to claims that Galaxy has ‘abandoned’ its planned Boracay project, no such announcement has been made nor communicated with PAGCOR. Both parties have not reached any final decision regarding its planned Boracay resort.”
The controversial casino plan came as the Philippine government planned to close Boracay to tourists due to environmental concerns. The six-month shutdown began on April 26.
