Town council OKs casino on Boracay

ILOILO CITY, Philippines—The Malay municipal council has stood firm on its endorsement of a plan to operate a gambling casino on Boracay Island despite opposition from the Catholic Church.

Municipal councilor Jonathan Cabrera, chairman of the council’s committee on good government and member of the committee on tourism, games and amusement, said the operation of the casino in Boracay would bring additional revenues that could fund basic services and projects for residents.

He said the town’s budget for 2011 amounting to P185 million is enough only for the operations and maintenance expenses of the municipal government.

There is a need to generate more revenues for livelihood projects, health services, infrastructure and equipment, he added.

Discourage illegal gambling

Cabrera said a casino under the supervision of the Philippine Amusement and Gamings Corp. (Pagcor) would also discourage illegal gambling of some tourists that are clandestinely done inside hotel rooms.

“We believe that there is a need to encourage new activities and attractions in Boracay like legal forms of leisure and entertainment to enhance its appeal and attractiveness to foreign tourists,” Cabrera said.

The municipal council on January 25 passed a resolution endorsing the proposal of Cariño Development Management Corp. (CDMC) to build a casino at the 120-hectare Fairways and Bluewater Resort Golf and Country Club at the northern end of the 1,032-ha island.

CDMC President Noel Cariño said in their letter of application that the casino would be regulated and would only be accessible to foreign passport holders, foreign tourists, Fairway Club members, and the resort’s guests and residents.

Moral grounds

The Catholic Church in Boracay has voiced opposition to the project on moral grounds. Religious and various groups on the island had also blocked two previous attempts to put up a casino on the island.

The municipal council will hold a public consultation on the issue on March 17 to hear the views of residents.

But Fr. Magloire Placer, priest of the Holy Rosary Parish, scored the council for pushing the operation of the casino.

“What public consultation? They already endorsed the proposal. Shouldn’t they have consulted with us first?” Magloire said.