Press Release
March 7, 2018

Transcript of interview with Sen. Cynthia Villar on Boracay

Q: Necessary ba iyong state of calamity sa Boracay?

Villar: A state of calamity will allow them to be able to do it nang hindi masyadong...mas magaan mag implement if there's state of calamity kaysa walang state of calamity. Para in terms of budget, in terms siguro of power. Kaya siguro niya gusto iyon so that the national government can do what it has to do in Boracay.

Q: Wala naman kayong nakitang negatibong epekto sa pagdeclare ng state of calamity?

Villar: Parang more power lang kasi if they go through the process, mabagal. Mapapabilis lang.

Q: Ang state of calamity hindi ibig sabihin kailangang i-close?

Villar: Hindi. It's more power and easier pa iyon para you don't have to go through the bidding process na mahahaba. And then if you want to give money, you can give more without the procurement law. Siguro iyon ang ikinatatakot nila. Alam mo naman ang government, bureaucratic. Parang babawasan lang ang bureaucracy to be able to do the job well.

Q: Nag-warning din ang presidente sa korte na magi-issue ng TRO

Villar: Meron kasing article na nagsabi na they are trying to stop iyong illegal construction before several years ago but nag-issue ng TRO iyong RTC. So siguro sinasabi niya kung magi-issue kayo ng TRO, we will not be able to do the things we have to do in Boracay.

Q: May lumabas na article si Raissa Robles saying na may property ang Villars doon kaya may conflict of interest?

Villar: Meron kaming investment, a very small investment in Boracay but we are in 139 towns and cities in the Philippines. Ang isang magsara na bayan walang effect sa aming kumpanya. So I don't care. I mean, I'm not managing our business. I don't think it will affect our business kahit isara nila ang Boracay. I have done so much for the environment and I am still doing it. Ako nga ang nakikipaglaban para ma-maintain ang wetlands sa Las Pinas-Paranaque so I don't think there is conflict of interest.

Q: Walang violation?

Villar: Yes. In fact, before I went to Boracay I asked our company compliant ba kayo? Kasi kung hindi kayo compliant, I will not go to Boracay. Ipapahiya n'yo pa ako. They are compliant.

Q: Iyon ba yung Costa dela Vista?

Villar: No, Boracay Sands. They bought it na tapos na iyon it's still operating. It's a small hotel.

Q: During the hearing, nabanggit din ang West Cove. Until now nagooperate pa rin

Villar:I think may notice na sila doon. In fact, part of it giniba na. Itinayo yata nila doon sa rock formation. Meron silang itinayo doon na parang restaurant on top of therock formation. I think nagiba na iyon. I think they will continue implementing. We have to give them time kasi hindi naman madali. In fact, they will be asking DILG and DPWH to help them kasi siyempre kapag nag-gigiba ka. Sana iyong mga hindi compliant mag-self demolition na lang sila para hindi naman mahirap.

Q: You didn't think it was necessary to disclose?

Villar: It has been announced all over the papers when they bought that property. It's common knowledge. It's a very small property. They were trying to learn the hotel business lang, it's a 50-room hotel. If they want to close it, they can close it. It won't matter to Vista Land.

Q: On Costa de la Vista

Villar: Iyong Costa dela Vista is owned by another company, nakipag- joint venture. If it's not legal, then it doesn't affect us kasi we don't own the property.

Q: Pero nakita nyo ang business ninyo na compliant?

Villar: Yes.

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