Aklan bishop opposes plan to put up a casino in Boracay
The Diocese of Kalibo has raised opposition to renewed plans to put up a casino on Boracay Island, barely five years after President Macacapal-Arroyo ordered a similar plan shelved.
Kalibo Bishop Jose Romeo Lazo said proponents of the putting up of a casino on the world-famous resort recently met with the diocesan officials and clergy to draw support for the project.
The casino is being eyed to be set up at the posh Fairways and Bluewaters Resort at the northern end of the 1,000-hectare island-resort.
But Lazo said they remain firm on the stand of the Church against gambling.
"The stand of the Church against gambling as defined by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines is clear. If there are plans (to put up a casino), the Church will oppose it," Lazo said in a telephone interview.
Lazo said this is also the sentiment of the parish pastoral councils of Malay town and Boracay.
"Boracay is a natural treasure of Aklanons and the Filipino people. We are for a family-oriented and wholesome island-resort and we therefore want a drug-free and gambling-free Boracay," said Lazo.
Lazo has sent a letter of instruction to the parishes of Malay and Boracay to be vigilant and to express their opposition to the plan.
In his letter, Lazo said gambling whether legal or illegal "promotes a culture that is harmful to the people, especially the poor."
"I call on all parishioners especially religious organizations to unite, pray, reflect and act to express your stand and sentiments against gambling in Boracay," the prelate said in his letter.
Lazo said many Aklanons fear that the opening of a casino will developed Boracay into a center of gambling.
Other parishes will support the opposition to the proposed project, according to the prelate.
The Church was among the most active and vocal in the successful blocking of plans to operate the Small Town Lottery game in the province last year. The proposal was shelved by the provincial board amid protests from various sectors.
The plan to put up a casino in Boracay was also pushed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) in 2003.
Tourism officials had said that earnings from casino could help finance development projects on the island.
But the plan was met by resistance by Boracay residents and the Diocese of Kalibo because of its perceived immoral effects.
Thousands of residents repeatedly joined protest rallies against the casino at times holding overnight vigils beside the Club Panoly, the proposed site.
Pagcor formally shelved the plan on August 31, 2003 two weeks after the President announced that she was against the project.
The late Jaime Cardinal Sin, a native of New Washington town in Aklan, had also opposed the plan and had lauded his provincemates for stopping the putting up of the casino.
"God will always help us… Always fight for what is good," Sin had said in a letter dated Sept. 15, 2003, congratulating Aklanons after the plan was shelved.