PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has approved the establishment of a casino on Boracay Island to generate more funds for the government’s coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) response, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said on Saturday, August 28, 2021.

“The President has given his go-signal allowing the operation of a casino in Boracay. Prior to this directive, casino establishments have not been operating in the island,” Roque said in a statement.

“This latest presidential pronouncement is part of the revenue-generating efforts of the government to augment funds for Covid-19 response,” he added.

Roque said casino operators must ensure that minimum health protocols are being complied with inside their premises and minors will not be allowed inside.

On Thursday, Duterte apologized for changing his mind about putting up casinos on the island.

"Patawarin po ninyo ako for the contradiction. Ngayon po wala tayong pera. Kung saan man tayo makakuha ng pera kukunin ko. Kung diyan sa gambling, so be it," he said.

"Wala akong isang salita diyan (gambling) pero kailangan ko ng pera para patakbuhin ang gobyerno," he added.

The Philippines is facing a fresh wave of Covid-19 cases driven by the Delta and other variants of Sars-CoV-2. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)