PAGCOR says license to Galaxy not connected with Boracay closure

The White Beach in Boracay (Photo By Dayanetang – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0)

The government’s gaming regulator defended that granting a provisional license to Macau casino giant Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd. to push through with its casino-resort project in Boracay, is not connected with the administration’s call for the paradise island’s closure.

“I don’t think there’s any relationship between Galaxy, the putting up of a casino, and the closing, because ‘yung (the) closing talagang ‘yung area na ‘yun, (of that area), it’s been an issue for a long time na,” Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) chief Andrea Domingo told reporters on March 21, according to a GMA report.

“I see no relationship in that because, again, it’s on the other side… of the area that was closed by the government,” she added.

On March 21, Galaxy Entertainment’s subsidiary group Boracay Philippines Resort and Leisure Corporation secured a provisional license to continue its project that is expected to cost up to 0 million.

According to the Macau casino giant’s local partner Leisure and Resorts World Corporation (LRWC), for the construction of the casino, the subsidiary acquired 23-hectares of land in Barangay Manoc-Manoc.

Known for its white sand and coastline, Boracay island is one of the country’s tourist spots and President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has recently called for its closure following problems in its sewage system and illegal constructions in the island.

According to a PhilStar report, Domingo also said that Resorts World has a new casino that will be operational in four months.

“The application for that started in 2014 and it has already been approved. They have built the hotel already,” she said.

Galaxy’s vice chairman Frances Lui thanked PAGCOR in a statement, saying that the project “will contribute positively to the local economy and actively partner with the Boracay community.”

“We are confident that we will raise the bar in both resort quality and service and generate significant job opportunities in both construction and resort operations,” he added.