2 senators favor demolition of Chocolate Hills resort

At least two senators on Wednesday said that they are in favor of demolishing the resort that was illegally constructed in the Chocolate Hills protected area in Bohol.

In a press conference after the Senate investigation into the construction of the Captain's Peak Garden and Resort, Senator Nancy Binay said the establishment should be removed from one of the most famous tourist spots in the Philippines as she sees it as an eyesore.

"Based din doon sa sinabi ni [Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo] Loyzaga kanina na parang they are in the process of hearing itong issue ng Captain’s Peak, but sa akin, 'yung structure itself sobra siyang sakit sa bangs nu'ng itsura in between the hill. So for me, dapat talaga matanggal talaga 'yung structure," said Binay, chairperson of Senate tourism committee.

(Based on the statements earlier of [Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo] Loyzaga, they are in the process of hearing the issue of Captain's Peak. But for me, the structure itself in between the hills should be removed.)

Senator Cynthia Villar likewise expressed a similar sentiment and said that if the government would let the resort get away with this supposed violation, other businesses might follow suit.

"Kasi 'pag hindi ka naging matigas diyan, marami pang gagawa niyan. We have to be strict now because they will come. More will be built and pagkatapos n'yan, wala nang use 'yung legislated protected area na 'yun," she said in a separate interview.

(If we are not firm with enforcement, others will also violate government regulations. We have to be strict now because they will come. More will be built and afterwards, the legislated protected area will be useless.)

Although she made the remark, Villar said it would take "guts to be able to do that."

"I don't know if they will have the guts to do it," added Villar, who presided over the investigation.

Liability, responsibility

For Villar, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is the primary agency that is liable for the incident.

"I think 'yung DENR hindi nila sineryoso 'yung responsibility nila in protecting the legislated protected area and at the same time, 'yung local government parang hindi din nila tinake seriously," she said.

(I think the DENR is not taking their responsibility seriously in protecting the legislated protected area and at the same time, the local government seems not to be taking things seriously as well.)

During the hearing, a former DENR regional executive director for Central Visayas, who is now an assistant secretary in the agency, earned the ire of the senators after he admitted that he was not present when the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) issued the resolution allowing the construction of the Captain's Peak and Garden Resort in Chocolate Hills.

At least three senators pointed out that if the DENR only monitored the PAMB meetings that led to the issuance of clearance for Captain's Peak Resort, the construction would not have pushed through.

Last March 13, Captain's Peak Resort announced its temporary closure amid flak on social media and imminent government action regarding its operations. The local government of Sagbayan town has also canceled its business permit to operate.

The DENR has also issued a cease and desist order against the resort for operating without an environmental clearance certificate (ECC).

The Office of the Ombudsman has started its own investigation into the matter, while the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has formed a task force to look into the possible accountability of local government officials.

The Chocolate Hills and the surrounding areas were designated a National Geological Monument and Protected Landscape by Proclamation 1037 on July 1, 1997 in recognition of its "unique geological formations and the importance of covering this wonder for future generations."

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognizes the Chocolate Hills Natural Monument as part of its prestigious World Heritage List. — VDV, GMA Integrated News