Not just one, but two more resorts have been discovered built in the declared World UNESCO Heritage Site, Chocolate Hills.
The resorts went viral on social media, claiming that this was not the first time that a resort was built in the world-renowned geological formation in Bohol.
Aside from The Captain's Peak, the two resorts were identified as Sagbayan Peak and La-Batian Resort.
In a social media post, broadcaster and Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo expressed his dismay over the controversial resorts.
"BUKOD SA CAPTAIN’S PEAK RESORT MAY 2 RESORT PA SA CHOCOLATE HILLS...SAGBAYAN PEAK AT LA BATIANG RESORT. GRABEH, PINAGHATI-HATIAN NA NILA ANG CHOCOLATE HILLS," the caption read.
This comes amid The Captain's Peak Garden and Resort's temporary closure, which drew ire from netizens after it went viral on social media.
According to DENR Secretary Toni Loyzaga, Captain's Peak Resort's owner Edgar Boton secured a land title in 2007 before Republic Act 11038, or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (ENIPAS).
Under the ENIPAS Act, Chocolate Hills is listed among the 94 protected areas in the Philippines.
Loyzaga said the resort, however, received a notice of violation from the DENR due to its absence of an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC)., a requirement needed before starting to build an establishment.
Loyzaga said there are many establishments in the Philippines without the compliance of the ECC from the DENR.
She mentioned Siargao, where around 900 of over 1,000 establishments were in operation without the ECC.
Meanwhile, Loyzaga said the DENR is looking for a legal basis to permanently shut down the controversial Captain's Peak Resort.
