The country’s gaming regulator belied reports that Galaxy Entertainment Group would abandon its plan to build an integrated resort in Boracay, saying a final decision has yet to be made on the controversial issue.

In a text message, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) chair Andrea Domingo expressed surprise at the statement of a Department of Tourism (DOT) official on Tuesday about the Macau gaming giant’s supposed pullout from the deal, saying there was no formal communication between the two agencies about the matter.

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Domingo added that Galaxy had not informed Pagcor about any changes to its plan to build a $500-million integrated resort on an inland property owned by its local partner, publicly listed Leisure and Resorts World Corp.

No final decision

At the same time, Leisure and Resorts World said in a statement that it continued to be in talks with Galaxy Entertainment about the project.

“Both parties have not reached any final decision regarding its planned Boracay resort project,” Leisure and Resorts World said. “Following protocol, no change in plans or project location would be made without prior consultation and agreement with Pagcor.”

The latest pronouncements run contrary to statements made by Interior and Local Government Assistant Secretary Epimaco Densing that Galaxy had “abandoned” its planned Boracay project.

He made the statement in a press conference on Tuesday in the popular tourist island, which the government has decided to shut down for six months starting on April 26.

DOT clarification

Densing quoted Tourism Assistant Secretary Ricky Alegre as saying that Galaxy Entertainment would abandon its Boracay project.

But Alegre clarified on Tuesday night that he was merely asked if such a report was true and that if it were, it would be a welcome development.

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He added that the DOT had not received any official communication from Galaxy Entertainment and its local partner about their plans.

The conflicting statements on whether Galaxy would abandon its plan to put up a resort in Boracay came after presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in Hong Kong last week that Galaxy may open a casino in the Philippines but not on the resort island.

Roque said President Duterte was against “the physical existence of a casino in Boracay.”

The President said he did not want a casino in Boracay, which he declared a land reform area.

The project proponents have committed to work with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to ensure full compliance with laws.

Letter of no objection

Pagcor had already issued a provisional approval for the project after securing a “letter of no objection” from the local government, although Domingo said proponents would still have to comply with requirements to be able to get a license.

Based on the project’s design, the casino area’s maximum footprint would not exceed 7.5 percent of the resort’s floor area.

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