DENR findings: Chocolate Hills defaced

CEBU, Philippines —  Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia “Toni” Yulo-Loyzaga confirmed that some of the hills forming part of the Chocolate Hills were defaced for the construction of the Captain’s Peak resort in Sagbayan, just as The Freeman’s special report last year described.

No less than Loyzaga and Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos went to Bohol to personally inspect the area and meet with LGU officials and other personalities. Later on, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco also went to Bohol for another event and discussed matters about the Chocolate Hills and other tourism establishments.

“Nakita ko po ay tinapyas ng developer na ito, ng project na ito ang mga hills in order to design and execute ang kanyang proyekto,” Loyzaga said.

The resort has been regarded as an eyesore to the UNESCO heritage site; it has a swimming pool with a slide, cottages, a road project, plus other structures built around some of the hills.

“Very obvious po ang pag tapyas ng ibang mga hills upang i-execute ang kanilang design,” Loyzaga said.

While some people insisted that developments can be made at least with 20% threshold for a protected area especially on a mixed-use zone, Loyzaga clarified it is a case-to-case basis, and in the case of the Chocolate Hills it cannot be done.

“Iba-iba po yan at sa klase ng protected areas... Ang ano po is... hindi po pwedeng galawin ang mga hills...’yun ‘yun talaga hindi pwedeng galawin… Ang kung anong pwedeng gawin sa areas na kino-consider na tinatawag na multiple zones, subject to processes,” Loyzaga said.

Aside from Captain’s Peak, DENR is also looking into other resorts in the protected area. Loyzaga said some of them were constructed during the COVID-19 pandemic when government agencies had limited movement.

When asked if resorts built in the protected area will be demolished, Loyzaga said it is possible, although there are different mitigation approaches including avoiding disturbance, minimizing, remedies, as well as payment of penalties.

Loyzaga said they are also looking at local government units that didn’t look for the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) of some projects. It was also stressed that the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) resolution allowing development in a protected area does not omit the necessity of obtaining an ECC, as this is required by law.

DENR, DILG, and the Department of Tourism said in a joint statement that the recent issue in Chocolate Hills highlights the importance of responsible development in protected areas, emphasizing the balance between economic development, sustainable livelihood, and environmental conservation.

TUPAD for displaced workers

Loyzaga also said that they met with some worker-representatives of Captain’s Peak since some workers were displaced.

“Kinausap din naming ang ilang representante ng mga nagtatrabaho dun… Inaalala din po namin ang kalagayan nila with the cease and desist order,” Loyzaga said.

Loyzaga said they will be enrolling the workers under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced workers (TUPAD) program under the Department of Labor and Employment.

“Ang ginawa din po namin dun, is to ensure na ma-enroll din po sana sila sa programa ng DOLE, na tinatawag na TUPAD…This is just temporary while the investigation is ongoing… dapat meron din po silang livelihood,” she said.

Meanwhile, Frasco is also pushing for DOT to have a seat at the PAMB.

“Since PAMB is a creation of law and DOT is not a part of PAMB, we are lobbying for legislation to amend its composition to include the DOT so it may give its insights and guidance on sustainable tourism development for protected areas,” Frasco said.

Before the entire country was shaken by the development of this private resort under a national treasure, The Freeman ran a three-part special report concerning the defacement of Chocolate Hills last year.

The said special report eventually led to the investigation of the Provincial government on the matter as promised by Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado to The Freeman and a temporary closure order from the DENR against Captain’s Peak.