The Diocese of Kalibo has renewed its opposition to casino gambling on Boracay following the opening of the island's first hotel-casino in September.
The property opened in Station 0 in Barangay Yapak, Malay, prompting Bishop Cyril Villareal to call on government officials to consider the potential social costs alongside the economic benefits of casino development.
In a pastoral statement, Villareal highlighted risks including debt, strained family relationships and the loss of money intended for necessities such as food, education and medical expenses.
The diocese said economic development should support residents' well-being rather than be measured solely by financial returns. It also warned that attempts to recover gambling losses could contribute to family conflict and child neglect.
The statement referenced Catholic teaching that games of chance are not inherently wrong but can become morally unacceptable when gambling deprives individuals or their families of essential resources.
Villareal called on the Aklan provincial government, the municipality of Malay and other authorities to prioritize family welfare and the broader community when addressing gambling on the island.
The bishop also argued that Boracay's tourism industry can continue developing around its natural environment, culture and hospitality without relying on casinos.
Opposition from the local Catholic Church is not new. In 2003, a casino complex proposed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation was shelved following public protests.
The issue resurfaced in 2021 after then-President Rodrigo Duterte allowed casino operations on Boracay. At the time, the diocese and Aklan officials called for the decision to be reconsidered, citing local opposition to gambling.
The latest statement comes after casino operations finally reached the island, bringing the long-running debate over gambling's role in Boracay's tourism economy back into focus.
Church opposition to casino development on Boracay dates back more than two decades
