Pagcor requested to shut down all casinos on Boracay

Monday 22nd of October 2018

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. has been asked to cancel any and all gaming franchises, and provisional licenses in Boracay island, according to a report from Business Mirror.

The request came from the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) and was reportedly signed by three cabinet secretaries on September 28, which includes BIATF Chairman Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu, and Vice Chairmen Interior Officer in Charge Eduardo M. Año and Tourism Secretary Bernadette Fatima Romulo Puyat.

“In view of the pronouncement of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte that no casino shall be allowed in Boracay Island, and in the light of the mandate given to it through

Executive Order No. 5, Series of 2018, the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BATF) requests that any and all gaming franchises and/or provisional licenses in Boracay Island shall be canceled by your good office,” it wrote.

“We shall be grateful for your timely cooperation on this matter for the protection of one of our nation’s most treasured islands,” it added.

Among those impacted by the directive would be Galaxy Entertainment Group / Leisure Resorts World Corp, which was planning to build an IR in Boracay, as well as the Savoy Hotel owned by MegaWorld Corp, and Hotel Soffia owned Archibald Po.

Also impacted by would be already operating casinos - Movenpick Resort & Spa, Crown Regency Resort and Convention Center, and Paradise Garden Resort Hotel and Convention Center.