Villanueva supports anti-casino policy in Boracay

Senator Joel Villanueva. PHOTO FROM JOEL VILLANUEVA FACEBOOK PAGE

Update

“Gambling promotes laziness, which only depends on a game of chance.”

This was Sen. Joel Villanueva’s reaction on gambling as he backed the proposal to implement an anti-casino policy in the famous tourist destination, Boracay Island.

Earlier, the Department of Justice recommended an executive order (EO) to ban gambling activities and casinos in Boracay.

Earlier, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Puyat said President Rodrigo Duterte had already asked to close down all casinos in Boracay.

READ: DOJ endorses ‘no casino policy’ in Boracay

The senator said the government should promote “sustainable tourism” instead of allowing the establishment of casinos in Boracay.

“The government should , therefore,promote sustainable tourism, instead of gambling, to attract more tourists to our country,” he said in a statement.

Besides, Villanueva said the Boracay’s white sand beaches are already “a perfect sight” so building casinos is no longer necessary.

Boracay was shut down for six months for its rehabilitation after Duterte called the island a “cesspool” because of its environmental and zoning issues. It was reopened last Friday (Oct. 26). /jpv