Opening of casinos in Boracay opposed

Senator Nancy Binay opposed the opening of gambling houses and casinos in Boracay Island, Friday.

“I am totally against na ibalik ang gambling sa (bringing back gambling activities in) Boracay. That is not the type of tourist that we want in Boracay. May ibang puwedeng pagkunan ng pera (There are other means to collect more revenues),” Binay, chair of the Senate committee on tourism, said in an ANC interview.

“Alam naman natin na ang Boracay is crown jewel ‘yan ng ating tourism and sayang naman the way the island was brought back kung papayagan natin itong gambling,” she added.

(We all know that Boracay is the crown jewel of our tourism industry. Unfortunately, the efforts for the island to be brought back will be put to waste if we will allow gambling activities on the island.)

Binay noted these funds would be wasted if the departments and agencies are not spending it wisely.

“I am also wondering who advised the President na option ang pagbalik ng gambling sa Boracay and I don’t think na ‘yung income na makukuha sa gambling sa Boracay will be sufficient revenue para magamit ng government,” Binay added.

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Opening of casinos in Boracay opposed

(I am also wondering who advised the President that gambling in Boracay is an option to get more revenues. I don’t think that the income from gambling in Boracay will be sufficient for the government’s use.)

President Rodrigo Duterte said Thursday night he is now in favor of re-opening gambling houses and casinos in Boracay since the government needed funds.

“Ngayon ‘pag sinabing itong si Duterte: ‘Bakit sinabi mong ayaw mo mag-sugal tapos ngayon ‘yung sa Boracay, yung gambling house doon ine-encourage mo buksan?'” Duterte said in his second Cabinet briefing this week.

“Patawarin po ninyo ako for the contradiction. Ngayon po wala tayong pera. Kung saan man tayo makakuha ng pera kukunin ko. Kung diyan sa gambling so be it,” he added.

“Wala akong isang salita diyan (gambling) pero kailangan ko ng pera para patakbuhin ang gobyerno,” Duterte said.

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