AGI gears up for Boracay casino, commits to protect environment

Alliance Global Group Inc., the investment arm of tycoon Andrew Tan, is now gearing up to develop its casino project in Boracay Newcoast after the President Rodrigo Duterte lifted his ban on the development of casinos on the world-famous resort island.

“We will proceed with our casino project in Boracay Newcoast… We are very hopeful that the tourism industry in this island will recover fast after the pandemic,” said AGI Chairman Dr. Andrew Tan.

He noted that, “We already have several hotels there and we are still building more. There is also a golf course, the only one in the entire Boracay Island.”

Tan assured that, “Boracay Newcoast remains committed to the protection of the environment in the island. Around 60 percent of the entire 150-hectare estate is dedicated to green and open spaces.”

“Since we started the development around 10 years ago, we have been proactively implementing green initiatives and programs,” he said.

These include the use of sustainable energy such as solar-powered and LED streetlamps, e-jeepneys to help reduce carbon footprint, installation of detention and siltation tanks to prevent discoloration and contamination of the beach, construction of own material recovery facility for waste recycling, and strict compliance to the 25+5 meter ‘No Build’ rule in the beach area.

Boracay Newcoast also built its own Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) even before the Government made it a requirement for businesses operating in the island.

“Whatever will be built in Boracay Newcoast, we will faithfully comply with the Government’s environmental policies and standards,” Tan said.

The group said earlier that it plans to develop a casino in its Savoy hotel in Boracay.

President Duterte had given the go-signal for the plans of Macau-based Galaxy Entertainment Group and AGI to proceed with their plans to put up integrated casino-resort projects in Boracay as a means to raise funds.

He noted that, government revenue generation has been disrupted by the effects of the pandemic.

Article and Photo originally posted by Manila Bulletin last September 6, 2021 6:35am and written by James A. Loyola.