By Vanne Elaine Terrazola Senator Richard Gordon stressed the need for a master plan in closing down Boracay Island. Senator Richard Gordon (Czar Dancel / MANILA BULLETIN) While raising no objection on the approval of the six-month shutdown of the famous island resort, Gordon, who is a former Tourism secretary, said a master plan would ensure the effectiveness of the closure. "Kung ako magrerecommend bago ko ipasara gagawa muna ako ng master plan para yung gagawin diyan habang nakasara ay tuloy-tuloy yung trabaho at hindi pakapa-kapa (If I were to recommend, I would first come up with master plan before closing down Boracay. So that works that have to be done during the closure are continuous)," Gordon said in an interview this afternoon. "Kapag may master plan, magagawa nang maayos at lalong lalakas ang Boracay at makakabuti sa ating mga kabababayan (If there is a master plan, the work will be done properly. It will improve Boracay and will benefit the people)," he added. Like some of his colleagues, Gordon said the renovation of the sewer system in the island -- a major factor repeatedly cited by the government in closing the island -- does not require a total shutdown. "Kung maglilinis lang ng sewage madali lang yan. You can do it in part...Sayang naman yung hanapbuhay ng tao at turista. Huwag muna sigurong ipasara kara-karaka nang walang master plan, gawin muna yung master plan ng rehabilitation," he reiterated. On the other hand, Gordon said the "drastic" closure of the island, despite the peak season, should serve as a warning for businesses to comply with the country's laws. "It is quite drastic yan and that sends a very strong message that the government means business and everybody should obey," he said. The safety of the public, he added, is also important. For his part, the former Department of Tourism official said he would recommend that Boracay should not be inhabited and should be treated a "national treasure." "Kung ako ang tatanungin, hindi na ako magpapatira sa Boracay ng mga taong walang kinalaman dyan. Iyan ay pag-aari ng bansa, national treasure yan," he said, clarifying that nonlocals should reside outside the island. "Sapagkat ang Boracay ay hindi tirahan that is purely recreational and for tourism purposes. 'Pag nagpatira ka nadadarang ang eco system," he added. Meanwhile, Gordon said it is improper that a mega casino will be built during the six-month shutdown of Boracay. "Hindi maganda na isasara mo tapos magtatayo ng casino," he sad. But should the government indeed allow the establishment of the casino, it must make sure that the business is Filipino-owned so that the country will benefit from it. In a separate interview, Sen. Cynthia Villar, meanwhile, dismissed that a casino will be built as she expressed confidence that the government will not allow it amid the closure. She said the government should review the plan, considering that Boracay has exceeded its carrying capacity. The Villar-led Senate committee on environment and natural resources has been conducting a hearing on the environment woes of the island.