Malacañang on Thursday defended the government’s decision to close top tourist destination Boracay after an economic manager cited it as one of the reasons for the slow economic growth in the second quarter. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the closure of Boracay was justified, noting that President Rodrigo Duterte did not just look at the Boracay issue from an economic perspective. Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said the 6-month Boracay closure which started in April "made a dent on the economy” as the island is the country’s prime tourist spot.

Palace defends Boracay closure as economic growth slows. (2018, August 10). Panay News, pp.13, 14.