Boracay closure

[robert k]

1 hour ago, JDDavao said:

And this is precious. Workers, who are not at fault for the environmental decisions made by their employers, will not receive calamity funds but the funds are for "poor Filipinos". Which they will apparently be making by not covering said workers. Hoo-boy.

Well, I was only following orders used to get people long prison sentences or hanged. Allowing people who aided in an ecological disaster of massive proportions to just walk away sounds fairly lenient to me.

[Old55]

I dived off the east coast of Mactan one time in 1999. Highly polluted water. All the coral was dead and will not return.

Same with this area. Once gone it’s gone for good.

[Tukaram (Tim)]

Most of the water around Boracay is still very good.  My brother and I are both divers and have traveled a lot.  Last year we went snorkeling in Boracay and were both very surprised at how much coral and fish we saw. It was some of the best snorkeling I ever had.  I am sure they have some clean up to do (after the last storm we saw open sewer lines dumping on the beach) but it is far from being as bad as they are making it out to be. The biggest threat to the coral are undisciplined Korean tourists walking on it.

[sonjack2847]

I see lots of people who bury their heads in the sand and ignore things.Boracay was warned and they ignored the warning now they will pay the price although I suspect the officials who allowed it to happen will walk away unscathed.They voted in a President who does not mess about now they can reap what they sowed.Maybe people will start to follow rules now.

[Dave Hounddriver]

15 minutes ago, sonjack2847 said:

Maybe people will start to follow rules now.

[Jollygoodfellow]

Is this guy for real. Says one thing and then another?

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte opposes Boracay casino

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte now says he opposes plans by Macau’s Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) and its Philippines partner Leisure & Resorts World Corporation (LRWC) to build a $500 million(US) integrated resort in Boracay, claiming he will give the land to farmers instead.

Addressing local media on Monday, Duterte said, “I don't have plans there for casinos. There are enough, there is too much – casino here, casino there.”

He added, “Consider Boracay a land reform area. I will give it to the farmers first. I will issue a proclamation that all of the land will be agricultural.

Duterte’s comments come less than three weeks after GEG and LRWC were approved for a provisional casino license by Philippines gaming regulator PAGCOR for a “premium quality, low rise, eco-friendly casino/resort development” located in Boracay, the small island in the central Philippines known for its resorts and beaches.

Boracay’s immediate future also remains muddled because Duterte last week ordered the closure of the holiday island for six months to tourists, starting in late April in order to address concerns over rising pollution levels in the region.

https://www.gamingtoday.com/article/74406-Philippines_President_Rodrigo_Duterte_opposes_Boracay_casino

[JDDavao II]

27 minutes ago, Jollygoodfellow said:

Is this guy for real. Says one thing and then another?

 

Just wait. A spokesman will be along shortly to "clarify". 

[Old55]

2 hours ago, JDDavao said:

Just wait. A spokesman will be along shortly to "clarify". 

Once the highest bidder comes through 🙄

[Clermont]

Back in the early seventies, HK, Singapore, Korea, Thailand and all Asian countries between were like the PI's, dirty non complying countries. Now look at them, relative tourist friendly countries, not too many bodies or raw sewage floating around their waterways nowadays. Maybe short term pain for long term gain might be behind this move. Personally I think the PI's are coming to age and it can't be a bad move for us expats. Last year when I was in Passy, not to many double parking, clamped and towed away, and the streets were a lot cleaner. I hope the change doesn;t wain.

[Snowy79]

I've been keeping a keen eye on the proceedings going on in Boracay and if some of the reports coming out of government offices are to believed it could be the largest government land grab in a while.

My latest news is that only residents of Boracay with valid ID will be allowed on the island yet they stopped issuing ID yesterday due to demand. All tourist will be banned and media must apply for special permits to visit the island. Locals will only be allowed to swim at station 3 between 9am and 5pm, the remainder of beaches are strictly out of bounds. Foreigners who own property on Boracay are to have their immigration status re-assessed by immigration. No hotel or resort will receive even one centavo in compensation yet will still be paying very high rental fees.

Who will buy out the bankrupt resorts, hotels and properties held by foreigners that don't fit in with immigration rules is any ones guess.