DOT assures it will not abandon Bohol

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) has promised the Province of Bohol that despite the controversy hounding the world-famous Chocolate Hills, their partnership would continue, knowing that millions depend on the province’s tourism industry for their livelihood.

“As we leave the investigations and regulatory movements to both the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) and the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources), we felt that it was incumbent upon us in the Department of Tourism to reach out to you to let you know that our partnership for tourism shall continue,” said DOT Secretary Christina Frasco, in a meeting with Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado.

“(B)ecause this issue, while it should be addressed and accountabilities must be had, it should not distract us from all the other work that needs to be done. Because I know as well as you do that millions depend on the livelihood and employment that is generated by tourism, including that of Bohol,” she added.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the inaugural Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) International Conference on Women in Travel DOT hosted in Panglao Island, Bohol, late last week.

Frasco said the incident involving the Chocolate Hills, where a resort was allowed to be built right at the foot of a few of the hills, should also serve as an opportunity for Bohol to put sustainable development on its agenda, considering that Bohol Island is the Philippines’ very first UNESCO-recognized Global Geopark.

“Being blessed with this incredible, rich, and beautiful resource comes with the enormous responsibility of ensuring it is maintained and conserved. This will not diminish our efforts to work with you because we recognize the trajectory of Bohol’s tourism, and we want to be able to ensure that development is sustainable and the opportunities coming to your province are distributed equitably,” Frasco said.

When the matter on the Captain’s Peak resort in Sagbayan, Bohol built within the protected area of Chocolate Hills went viral, DOT released immediately released a statement noting that the property in question is not accredited by the department and does not have a pending application for accreditation.

The resort management also admitted to The Freeman last year that the resort is not DOT-accredited.

This paved the way for Frasco to offer DOT’s support to the local government unit (LGU) of BOhol in encouraging qualified establishments to apply for DOT accreditation, to elevate the standard of operations of tourist establishments and ensure the protection of tourists.

DOT also told the Province of Bohol that it would extend guidance on other plans of the LGU for local tourism to prosper.

In particular, DOT would offer alternative livelihood training programs and tour guiding kits for the affected stakeholders of the resort, following the cease and desist order DENR issued against the establishment.

“We view Bohol with great importance, it being home to a myriad of ecotourism gems. In addition to Chocolate Hills, of course, you have the Loboc River, you have various resorts, accommodation establishments and community-based tourism initiatives that are worthy of emulation,” Frasco said.

“As the governor said, perhaps we can train our perspective towards the opportunities that lie to conserve what’s there that remains, and there is so much, to correct what has been done and most importantly to really pave the way forward. This is a golden opportunity for Bohol to put forth its tourism sustainability agenda to maintain its current status. No other place in the Philippines can boast of what you have,” she further said.

Ongoing initiatives supported by the DOT for Bohol province include the rehabilitation of its famed Alona beach, particularly the fixing of its seawall through the help of the its infrastructure arm, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority; exploring partnering with the private sector for its Sewage Treatment Plant systems; and the building of “Tourist Rest Areas” for an enhanced overall tourist experience in key in Panglao Island and in Tagbilaran City.

For his part, Aumentado said they are also set to create a new committee (Review and Development Committee, or RevDCom) that would oversee and review guidelines on matters concerning investments and initiatives that would not compromise the environment and protected areas. This committee will also involve the DOT.

Meanwhile, the DOT said that it would also lobby for Bohol’s inclusion in the national government’s Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) so it could provide recommendations on furthering the protection and preservation of the country’s protected areas safeguarded by the law, primarily in tourism destinations like Bohol.

“On the national level, 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.