(Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, May 2, reiterated his vow to pursue land reform in Boracay, saying he does not want the entire island to be used for commercial and tourism purposes alone.
“You know, ‘yung Boracay is forestland agriculture (land). Do not push me to the wall. Kasi hindi pa commercial ‘yan. Hindi pa rin residential,” Duterte said.
He said he would ask his Cabinet members to look into the possibility of putting up “only a small area for tourism.”
He said, however, that after the six-month cleanup, he would “return” the island to government.
“Then I’ll let Congress decide kung anong gusto ninyo,” he said.
He said if, however, there were “misunderstandings,” he would subject the entire island to “land reform.”
“Ibigay ko sa tao ‘yan. Tutal ang yayaman diyan ‘yung may-ari ng mga hotel,” he said.
“Wala akong agenda. Matanda na ako,” he added, responding to opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s remarks the President just wanted to give way to the construction of the $500 million resort-casino by Macau-based Galaxy Entertainment.
The world-famous island of Boracay was officially closed on April 26.
