BLINDSIDED BIATF OFFICIALS NOW ALLOW CASINOS ON BOARACY

OFFICIALS of the former Boracay Inter-agency Task Force (BIATF) appeared to have been blindsided by the recent announcement of President Duterte to allow the opening of a casino in Boracay Island.

Despite repeated text messages from the Businessmirror, BIATF officials have chosen to remain silent on Duterte’s flip-flop on his “nocasino” policy. One BIATF source said he didn’t want to comment on the issue because, “That’s a decision made by the highest official of the land.”

Pressed if BIATF officials were aware about policy change prior to Duterte’s announcement last August 26, the source said in a mix of English and Filipino, “No. It was an unexpected pronouncement.”

In a joint news statement late Monday, the BIATF said, “In line with the President’s latest pronouncement that casinos will now be allowed to operate in Boracay Island to augment government funds, [we] will carry out the necessary steps towards this direction.”

The group added, it “will ensure that the operations of casinos, as it is with other business establishments in Boracay, will be in accordance with existing laws, and that each line agency will continue carrying out their respective mandates with the goal of ensuring the environmental sustainability of the island.”

It also said, “All businesses are reminded to submit to the requirements and accreditation processes, as the BIATF will practice due diligence to ensure that only those who are compliant will be issued the necessary permits.”

See “BIATF officials,” A2