Too late, again

The Department of the Interior and Local Government has now formed a task force to investigate how a resort was built in the protected Chocolate Hills of Bohol. Captain's Peak Garden and Resort is in the middle of the foothills of the Chocolate Hills. An aerial shot of the resort shows it even has a swimming pool. The Chocolate Hills of Bohol is protected based on the declaration of UNESCO on June 18, 1988. This is the third National Geological Monument in the Philippines. Common sense would dictate that no structure, much less a commercial resort should be built within its vicinity. The protected area was just ruined by the presence of this resort. The DILG wants the task force to find out how it was allowed, and who is responsible for its construction. The DILG promised that any government official involved in the construction of the said resort would be held accountable. They will face charges with the ombudsman.

I couldn’t help but just laugh at this. This is no different from the discovery of the luxurious living conditions of VIP prisoners in the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP). A jacuzzi, a music recording studio complete with band instruments, cells with air-conditioning, complete kitchens, TVs, sound systems, home theaters, laptops, and cellphones with internet service were discovered. How did all this get in without the complicity of the NBP guards and officers? A truckload of appliances, and a truckload of materials for building a jacuzzi, studio, and kitchen arrives at the NBP, and nobody asks questions. Was anyone found responsible for all that? Were there any accused, charged, or jailed?

The aerial shot shows the difficulty trucks with construction materials had to negotiate to deliver their supplies. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources admitted they issued a Temporary Closure Order (TCO) to the resort in September of last year and a Notice of Violation this January, but the resort seems to have ignored it and continued its business. Did they have the blessing of a high-ranking Bohol official? Did they feel untouchable? The Department of Tourism also disclosed they did not have accreditation to operate a place for tourists. All kinds of violations were committed by this resort and yet it continued operations. It had to take social media to finally put a spotlight on them.

Which is why I am just amused by this new DILG task force. They are too late, again. All the evidence may have been destroyed. Those who should be held accountable have probably resigned or taken flight. Companies that built the resort may have closed shop. Those who remain may already know what to tell the DILG task force. There should have been an investigation when the TCO was issued in September of last year. But that’s how things are in this country.