DILG forms Task Force to probe Chocolate Hills resort

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) had formed a Task Force to look into the possible accountability of local government officials in the construction of a resort in the protected area of Chocolate Hills in Bohol.

"We have mobilized a special investigation team to swiftly ascertain any liability of local officials in this matter," said DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos in a statement on Saturday.

The special investigation team will focus on the issues surrounding the construction of the controversial resort in Chocolate Hills, according to Christian Maño's report on Super Radyo dzBB.

"Local officials found complicit or negligent with respect to any violation will face legal action. These officials may be suspended or dismissed... We will continue to uphold accountability and integrity in public service," added Abalos.

Bohol's Chocolate Hills is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a protected area under Proclamation No. 1037 Series of 1997 and the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992, he pointed out.

The resort already announced its temporary shutdown amid flak on social media and imminent government action regarding its operations. 

Meanwhile, The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said that the resort may face up to a P5 million fine as it started operations without an environmental compliance certificate (ECC).

The DENR also said that it would check if its local field offices were liable for the controversy, considering that the resort was able to continue operations despite the temporary closure issued in September 2023. 

According to the DENR, local government units also bear responsibility over the matter.

The local government of Sagbayan, Bohol has said that it only found out about DENR's temporary closure this week. 

"Kung alam namin 'yung temporary closure order ay sa application for renewal ay hindi na po mare-renew," said Felito Pon, executive secretary of the Office of the Sagbayan Mayor, told Unang Balita in an interview Thursday.

(If we knew about the temporary closure order, the resort’s application for renewal would not be approved.) 

The Sagbayan government earlier said that it released the building permit for the Captain's Peak Garden and Resort because of the clearance issued by the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB).

The PAMB clearance was secured in 2018, based on information provided by the Bohol provincial government to GMA Integrated News. —VAL/VDV, GMA Integrated News