Defacing a national treasure: Resort, other projects ruining Chocolate Hills

(Last of three parts)

Back in 2019, then Bohol Second District Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado authored House Bill 2111 which declared Chocolate Hills as national patrimony, natural heritage park and geological monuments and provides penalty for their pillage, destruction, and defacement.

Aumentado, who is now governor of Bohol, was happy to share when The FREEMAN visited him that his province is strongly bouncing back from the COVID-19 pandemic and typhoon Odette. In fact, the governor disclosed that more tourists are back and more are expected in the near future.

According to the governor, UNESCO’s declaration of Chocolate Hills as a global geo-park because of its scientific value and geomorphic uniqueness is certainly a plus factor for them. Aumentado said the local government of the province is working doubly hard to protect their prized possession.

“Ang Chocolate Hills sa una ug karon, wala gyuy kalainan. But karon nga na declare na siya as as global geo-park hub, we have to protect na gyud sa Chocolate Hills. Kung giunsa namo pagprotect ang Chocolate Hills kaniadto, all the more nga among protektahan kay once designated UNESCO global geo-park ka, naa pud siyay pamaagi nga ma-strip pud ng imong recognition once dili nimo ma protected ang maong mga geo-park sites,” said Aumentado.

He assured to double the layer of protection for the national treasure. The governor stressed that even if it is privately-owned, the Chocolate Hills have to be protected.

“Kung naa masud ang Chocolate Hills sa ilang area (private landowners), protected gyud na, dili gyud na nila mahilabtan. Dili sila ka quarry, dili sila ka unsay ilang plano. Mananghid gyud sila sa DENR,” Aumentado said.

He maintained that aside from the existing and long-standing tourist spots for Chocolate Hills viewing, the other parts of the said hills should remain protected. For other constructions in the protected area “dili na pwede kay protected area na,” Aumentado said.

But unknown to him, a private water park is now operating in Barangay Canmano in Sagbayan town.

Aumentado was surprised when The Freeman showed him the ongoing developments in Barangay Canmano in Sagbayan. He said he was not aware of it and the only development he knew in the area was the Sagbayan Peak which he said is not part of the protected area.

Aumentado said he will call on the attention of DENR and other concerned agencies about it. Aumentado has ordered an investigation based on what he saw on picture and in social media as an “eyesore” in Sagbayan.

Apart from environmental concerns, the Freeman also found out that the Captain’s Peak Resort in Sagbayan was not accredited by the Department of Tourism.

The resort management itself admitted that they are not “registered” with the DOT but was assigned a tourist police.

Julieta Sablas, resort administrator, said a police officer offered them to assign a tourist police to protect their guests since they do not have a security guard.

Sablas said there are at least five hills under their property that is under the protected area with several concrete rooms and cottages, a tree house, snack bar, and a pool around the area among others.

Accreditation of tourism establishments is mandatory under the Republic Act No.9493 or the Tourism Act of 2009 except for secondary tourism enterprises. A resort is considered a primary tourism enterprise.

“The Department and LGUs shall ensure strict compliance of tourism enterprises with these standards,” read part of the provisions of the tourism act.

When an enterprise fails to obtain or loses accreditation, DOT also needs to notify the LGU concerned so that it may take appropriate action in relation to an enterprise’s licenses and permits to operate.

Probe

Meanwhile, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Bohol is set to conduct an investigation into the destruction of Chocolate Hills.

Provincial Board Member Nathaniel Binlod delivered a privilege speech last Tuesday after reading the first two parts of The Freeman’s special report calling for an investigation.

“I urge this honorable body to join hands with the Area Management Board (APMB) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to conduct an examination and investigation of the defacement of the UNESCO Global Geopark, Chocolate Hills of Bohol,” Binlod was quoted in a report by veteran journalist Ric Obedencio.

DENR’s Regional Executive Director Paquito Melicor was unavailable for interview when The Freeman visited his office because he was in Manila attending a budget hearing. Any other inquiries will also have to be cleared with the DENR Central Office. — /FPL