Lucky old Boracay (?)

[graham59]

All those nice Chinese, plus Koreans, splashing the money around ?  

Duterte favors Boracay casinos, defends dolomite beach

The Philippine Star 

August 28, 2021 | 12:00am

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/08/28/2123158/duterte-favors-boracay-casinos-defends-dolomite-beach

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has changed his stance and is now in favor of building a casino on Boracay Island, saying the government needs funds.

“Now, you’ll say, ‘This Duterte, you said you don’t want gambling, and now you encourage the opening of a gamble house in Boracay for tourists?’” Duterte said in his pre-recorded address aired Thursday night.

“Please forgive me for the contradiction. Now we don’t have money. Wherever we get money, I’ll take it. If that’s from gambling, so be it,” he said.

“If I were wrong there, yes, I am wrong. If I didn’t stand by my word, yes that’s right, but I need money to run the government because I have a lot to finance,” the President said.

In April 2018, the Duterte administration shelved a plan by Macau’s Galaxy Entertainment Group to build a $500-million integrated casino-resort in the famous holiday island.

Located in Aklan, Boracay was closed for six months in 2018 to undergo rehabilitation after Duterte called it a “cesspool” due to pollution.

Meanwhile, the President also defended the overlaying of dolomite sand on the shore of Manila Bay.

In his taped “Talk to the People,” Duterte praised Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu for the rehabilitation of Manila Bay.

“Dolomite is beautiful to the eyes. Period,” the President said. “Do not ask, because you cannot do it…

“For so many years, you had every chance to do it. Was there anybody willing to take the problem by its horns? It’s only Cimatu. So let’s thank him,” he said.

The Manila Bay white sand beach project drew flak, with critics saying it should not be done during a pandemic.

Marine experts have also warned that crushed dolomite poses health problems when inhaled.

The government has allocated P349 million to transform a portion of Manila Bay into a white sand beach.

Edited August 29, 2021 by Mike J
Added article text

[Snowy79]

One small spanner in the works is a law that was passed a couple of years ago banning new casinos for 15yrs which can only be overturned by the LGU and the current Mayor was involved in that law.

In other news there's a new governing body going through the palace at the moment called Boracay Independant Development Authority (BIDA Gc).  It will be Government controlled so I wonder if that law will be kicked to the kerb. 

[graham59]

The usual confusion and screw-ups .

...But nevermind, because all will change again next week, or next month. 

[Mike J]

19 hours ago, Snowy79 said:

One small spanner in the works is a law that was passed a couple of years ago banning new casinos for 15yrs which can only be overturned by the LGU and the current Mayor was involved in that law.

In other news there's a new governing body going through the palace at the moment called Boracay Independant Development Authority (BIDA Gc).  It will be Government controlled so I wonder if that law will be kicked to the kerb. 

For an investment of $500 million, and some gifts for local officials, I expect local law will change.   

[scott h]

3 hours ago, Mike J said:

I expect local law will change.

A big, high end, foreign customer based Hotel/casino might be bad for the local traditional way of life and the place to go for upper class Filipinos. But in the long run it would be really, really good the the Philippines as a whole.

[graham59]

2 hours ago, scott h said:

the local traditional way of life

You mean living in sh** ?  ... but yeah, agreed.  

[hk blues]

2 hours ago, scott h said:

A big, high end, foreign customer based Hotel/casino might be bad for the local traditional way of life and the place to go for upper class Filipinos. But in the long run it would be really, really good the the Philippines as a whole.

Perhaps, but I doubt 1 casino will have much of an impact.  If it's the start of turning a part of the Philippines into another Macau then it may have some impact.  

[Snowy79]

5 hours ago, hk blues said:

Perhaps, but I doubt 1 casino will have much of an impact.  If it's the start of turning a part of the Philippines into another Macau then it may have some impact.  

There are already 3 casinos on the island in suspended animation at the moment. The latest proposal is for a 1,001 room integrated hotel, resort, casino. It could bring serious work to the island but there are the usual doom and gloom merchants quoting increased prostitution etc.  They obviously never ran the gauntlet of lady boys and freelancers along White Beach before covid hit.  You'd be hard pushed to make prostitution more available.  

[hk blues]

9 minutes ago, Snowy79 said:

There are already 3 casinos on the island in suspended animation at the moment. The latest proposal is for a 1,001 room integrated hotel, resort, casino. It could bring serious work to the island but there are the usual doom and gloom merchants quoting increased prostitution etc.  They obviously never ran the gauntlet of lady boys and freelancers along White Beach before covid hit.  You'd be hard pushed to make prostitution more available.  

To be honest, the "red light" district is pretty tame compared to that of many other places so there is room for improvement!  Given the size of the Island I'm not sure there is scope to develop the place as a gambling destination like Macau.  As I said above, any investment is welcome but I'm not convinced it will impact hugely on the country as a whole - on the local area for sure it will.

[scott h]

6 hours ago, hk blues said:

Perhaps, but I doubt 1 casino will have much of an impact.

 

1 hour ago, Snowy79 said:

It could bring serious work to the island but

Not only serious work, but if we look at the PR factor, and the best PR is still word of mouth. Throw in a High End casino resort, the word will get out about the weather, the beaches, the people all the things that brought most of us here. Those Chinese (lets be honest that who this is aimed for) cant afford the high end Boracay will go to a Batangas or cebu resort.

Just like Las Vegas, those who dont have the money for Caesars palace or the MGM go stay at the Holiday in and walk to the expensive places