A Boracay beach resort allegedly owned by boxing champion Manny Pacquiao was closed down by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Friday because of its failure to posses several environmental permits.
In GMA News TV's "State of the Nation," Mariz Umali on Monday reported that the Saranggani congressman has denied owning the resort, adding that it is owned by Crisostomo Aquino, a close friend of the boxer's.
Aquino added that Pacquiao even has to pay whenever he stays in the resort.
The 998-square-meter Boracay West Cove was padlocked by local authorities because it was built on what they said is a no-build zone. But Aquino argued that they were issued a Forest Land Use Agreement for Tourism Purposes (FLAgT) clearance by former DENR Secretary Lito Atienza.
Aquino's camp argued that the FLAgT is proof that the area is not a no-build zone.
The resort also does not have several local permits or an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC). The permits, Aquino said, were filed last year but were not attended to by the local government.
The ECC was only required recently after a reassessment by the local DENR. Aquino's camp has already applied for the ECC but has not yet received word from the DENR.
The resort owner asserted that the local government's actions were a case of "harassment" as he stands to lose over P8 million worth of cancelled reservations.
Former Secretary Atienza has not yet made a comment as of this posting, but the DENR said that it would approve whatever the local DENR would recommend. — BC/VS
