Sarado na ang kontrobersiyal na resort na itinayo sa Chocolate Hills sa Bohol matapos makatanggap ng mga batikos sa social media. Gayunman, iginiit ng pamunuan ng Captain's Peak Garden and Resort na sumunod sila sa mga patakaran na itinakda ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

“In accordance with the directives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Captain's Peak Garden and Resort will be temporarily closed for maintenance and environmental preservation efforts,” saad ng Captain's Peak Garden and Resort sa anunsyo nito, na mababasa rin sa GMA Regional TV News.

BASAHIN: DENR, DOT, alam ang tungkol sa resort sa Chocolate Hills

Sa pagsasara nito, sinabi pa ng resort na magpapatupad ito ng “various eco-friendly initiatives” upang mapanatili ang sustainability nito.

“We are committed to upholding the highest standards of environmental stewardship and ensuring the preservation of the natural beauty that surrounds us. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding and support as we work towards a greener, more sustainable future for Captain's Peak Garden and Resort,” saad pa nito.

Sinabi rin ng Captain's Peak Garden and Resort na ikinalulungkot nito ang natanggap na batikos dahil sa pagtatayo ng kanilang establisyimento malapit sa Chocolate Hills.

“We understand and respect the concerns raised by environmental advocates and members of the community regarding the preservation of this natural wonder.”

Gayunman, inilahad nitong dumaan sa mabusising pagsusuri at nakatanggap ng kaukulang permiso sa mga awtoridad, kabilang ang DENR, ang kanilang resort.

“It is important to clarify that our resort's construction plans underwent rigorous scrutiny and received the necessary approvals from relevant authorities, including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). We have complied with all environmental regulations and have taken measures to minimize our ecological footprint throughout the development process,” ayon pa sa pahayag.

Kinikilala umano ng resort ang Chocolate Hills bilang UNESCO World Heritage Site, at kasama sa kanilang responsibilidad na pangalagaan ito.

“We assure the public that our operations are conducted with utmost care and consideration for the environment,” saad nito.

Patuloy umano silang nakikipag-ugnayan sa mga stakeholder, lokal na komunidad at environmental organizations, para matugunan ang mga pag-aalala at makahanap ng nararapat na solusyon.

Bukas din sa constructive dialogue at tinatanggap ng resort ang saloobin ng lahat ng mga partidong sangkot.

“As we continue with our development endeavors, we remain dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism practices and preserving the natural beauty of Bohol for future generations to enjoy. Thank you for your attention to this matter,” saad nila sa isa pang pahayag.

Nitong Miyerkules, sinabi ng DENR  na naglabas na ang Office of the Central Visayas regional executive director ng memorandum (Marso 13), na nag-uutos sa Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) na inspeksyunin ang Captain's Peak kaugnay ng pagsunod nito sa temporary closure order.

Giit ng kagawaran, nag-isyu ito ng temporary closure order noong Setyembre 2023 at violation notice noong Enero 2024 laban sa establisyimento.

Gayunman, sinabi ng lokal na pamahalaan ng Sagbayan, Bohol, na wala silang natanggap na temporary closure order mula sa DENR.

Sinabi naman ng Department of Tourism (DOT) na nakikipag-ugnayan na ang Central Visayas office nito sa probinsyal na pamahalaan ng Bohol mula pa noong Agosto 2023 tungkol sa resort.

Itinuturing na National Geological Monument and Protected Landscape ang  Chocolate Hills at mga kalapit na lugar nito alinsunod sa Proclamation 1037 noong Hulyo 1, 1997, at kinikilala ito dahil sa "unique geological formations and the importance of covering this wonder for future generations."

Kinikilala rin ng United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) ang Chocolate Hills Natural Monument bilang bahagi ng prestihiyosong World Heritage List.

Nitong Miyerkules din, hinimok ni Senator Nancy Binay, chairperson ng Senate committee on tourism, ang imbestigasyon sa Senado kaugnay sa ilegal umanong mga struktura malapit sa Chocolate Hills.

Sinabi pa ni Binay na dapat magpaliwanag ang DENR, iba pang ahensiya ng gobyerno, at lokal na pamahalaan sa pagbibigay ng construction permit sa naturang protektadong lugar.-- FRJ, GMA Integrated News