The end of Boracay?
No casinos will be constructed in Boracay. Instead, the land will be given to farmers under land reform. This is the new statement, or some say twist, in the ever-unfolding drama that is Boracay. The land will be given to farmers because apparently, the whole of Boracay is owned by the government. In 2006, then president Arroyo issued a proclamation classifying a little over sixty percent of Boracay as "alienable and disposable" agricultural land. The rest is reserved forestland for "protection purposes." Alienable means someone else can own it. But according to the government, only those with valid land titles since June 12, 1945 can claim ownership. I wonder if there are any at all. A Supreme Court ruling in 2008 also affirmed most of Boracay is indeed owned by the government. Businesses were only allowed to build "in good faith." What that probably means is that they were only tolerated by the government. Well guess what? This government can no longer tolerate you.
Still, PAGCOR Chief Andrea Domingo believes Duterte is "a very intelligent and discerning person." While she says she will follow what Duterte ordered, she believes the casino GEG wants to put up in Boracay will help the country, and not destroy the environment. PAGCOR has already issued a provisional license to the company, as well as to Leisure and Resorts World Corp. I really do not know what that means after Duterte's latest pronouncement on Boracay. He seems to be waxing hot and cold on the issue.
As for the present businesses in Boracay, Duterte says sorry but that is the law. The island is agricultural in nature so it is supposed to be given to farmers. If this is what Duterte says today, are the documents held by business owners or homeowners worth nothing, even though they have been paying documentary stamp taxes for years? Was that all just "good faith"? These are just some of the questions, and I'm sure there are many, being asked by residents and stakeholders. First, they were informed that the island will be closed and rehabilitated for six months. But now, the land will be distributed to farmers? They will wake up one day and realize they no longer have homes to live in or businesses to run.
Duterte added the calamity fund which will help those affected by the closure will only be "for the poor." The rich will receive no help. Who then says that one is poor or rich in Boracay? The BIR? Will the financial help be given only to registered employees? What about the more than 9,000 unregistered workers? Will Duterte apologize to them as well?
DOLE also warned Boracay businesses they cannot just terminate any employee. According to Secretary Bello, when the rehabilitation of Boracay is completed, employees must still have a job, but if Duterte wants to distribute Boracay to farmers which businesses will still be there to resume operations, if any at all?
Is this the end of Boracay as a well-known destination for tourists?
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