DENR wants Chocolate Hills resort closed

MANILA, Philippines —  The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) yesterday ordered the implementation of a temporary closure order earlier issued against a resort at the Chocolate Hills in Bohol amid viral social media posts of a swimming pool built right at the foot of the declared National Geological Monument.

“In the case of the Captain’s Peak Resort, the DENR issued a Temporary Closure Order last Sept. 6, 2023 and a Notice of Violation to the project proponent last Jan. 22 for operating without an environmental compliance certificate (ECC),” the DENR said.

The DENR added that Region 7 executive director Paquito Melicor issued yesterday a memorandum to Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office-Bohol’s Ariel Rica to form a team to check on the compliance of Captain’s Peak Resort with the temporary closure order.

The team has been directed to conduct an inspection to ensure that the resort remains closed, the department said.

“The DENR Environmental Management Bureau will continue to monitor,” it added.

A post at @Philstar.com showed a now-viral video of a swimming pool in the vicinity of Chocolate Hills in Bohol, which is causing a stir on social media. #PhilstarAsks are you in favor of having a resort in Chocolate Hills?

The video showed a huge swimming pool, cottages and rooms were set up among the Chocolate Hills. A cottage was seen at the foot of the hill.

The Captain’s Peak Resort even posted on its Faacebook page on Feb. 21 the supposed Bohol Provincial Meet 2024 Swimming Competition, which was held at the resort.

The Chocolate Hills was declared a protected area on July 1, 1997 through Proclamation 1037 issued by then president Fidel Ramos.

The Proclamation designated the Chocolate Hills as a National Geological Monument and a Protected Landscape in view of its unique geological formations and the importance of maintaining the natural wonder for future generations.

According to the DENR, the declaration aimed to preserve the iconic landscape of the Chocolate Hills and promote sustainable tourism while protecting the biodiversity and environmental integrity of the area.
“If a land was titled prior to Proclamation 1037 declaring an area as a protected area, the rights and interests of the landowner will generally be recognized and respected. However, the declaration of the area as a protected area may impose certain restrictions or regulations on land use and development within the protected area, even for privately owned lands. These restrictions and regulations are to be detailed in the Environmental Impact Statement prior to the issuance of an ECC for the project,” the DENR said.

Senate probe

Sen. Nancy Binay is seeking a Senate investigation on how a swimming pool and resort were built right at the foot of Chocolate Hills.

“It was heart-wrenching and heart-breaking to see the resort standing right at the foot of the Chocolate Hills. At first glance, we knew something was wrong,” added Binay, chairperson of the Senate committee on tourism.

“If the government agencies that have the duty and responsibility to take care of the Chocolate Hills have a pro-environment mindset, our question is, why did they build a resort and still have cottages and a swimming pool in a ‘classified natural monument’ under NIPAS (National Integrated Protected Areas System) and a protected UNESCO geopark?” Binay said.
“It has also come to my attention that PAMB (Protected Area Management Board) in 2022 and 2023 approved the proposal and issued a resolution favorably endorsing the development of Captain’s Peak Resort located at Canmano, Sagbayan, Bohol within the Chocolate Hills Natural Monument,” she added.

She asked concerned government agencies, including the local government, to explain why construction permits continue to be granted despite Chocolate Hills’ protected status.

“We understand the importance of development, but there should be boundaries. If the DENR continues to issue ECCs under the guise of ‘tourism development,’ I believe they have misunderstood what ecotourism is all about, and they have become complicit in defacing a natural monument they’re supposed to oppose,” Binay added. –  Cecille Suerte Felipe