Senator Nancy Binay on Wednesday, March 13, filed a resolution urging proper senate committees to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation on the now-viral resort built at the foot of the Chocolate Hills in Bohol, which is declared a World Heritage Site.
In Senate Resolution No. 967, Binay cited that Chocolate Hills "is a protected area under Republic Act No. 11038 or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 201" which has been declared the "the first Global geopark" and "a Natural Monument" by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
She also cited the report that swimming pools, slides, and cottages were built by Captain's Peak Garden and Resort "too close to the feet of the hills."
"It was reported that during the inspection conducted by the provincial board, it was found that Captain's Peak Garden and Resort built cottages and water slides for swimming pool at the foot or sides of at least three hills and that PAMB failed to fully explain why it allowed the resort to use at least a 20-percent portion of the Chocolate Hills," Binay said.
The senator also cited an article from The Bohol Chronicle in which it was reported that there is an issue on "whether the clearing of the access road within the resort area was a breach of existing laws."
"It is necessary for the Senate to conduct an inquiry on the matter to help protect the Chocolate Hills from destruction due to the construction of illegal structures within its vicinity," she underscored.
In a statement, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said it had already issued a temporary closure order to the resort on September 6, 2023, as well as a notice of violation on January 22, 2024, for operating without an environmental compliance certificate.
A team tasked to inspect the resort has been created, as per DENR.
"The DENR-EMB will continue to monitor," the agency said.
