Chocolate Hills resort controversy

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A controversy arose in March 2024 when a resort built in the middle of the Chocolate Hills in Bohol, Philippines, came to wider public attention. The geological formations are a protected area. [1]

Contents

Members of both chambers of Congress have questioned how the resort was allowed to be built between the hills despite its heritage and protected area status. [2]

Background

Chocolate Hills

The hills in Sagbayan. Sagbayan Sunset Chocolate Hills Bohol 2017 g.jpg
The hills in Sagbayan.

The Chocolate Hills are 1,776 near-identical conical hills or kegelkarsts [3] which straddles across multiple municipalities in the island province of Bohol; Batuan, Bilar, Carmen, Sagbayan, Sierra Bullones and Valencia. [4] It is a major tourist attraction of the province.

The hills have multiple designations. UNESCO named the hills as a National Geological Monument in 1988. In 1997, President Fidel V. Ramos named the hills a National Geological Monument and a Protected Landscape. [3] The hills are a significant feature in the declaration of the whole Bohol island as the Philippines' first UNESCO Global Geopark in 2023. [5] [6]

Despite the 1997 declaration, private owners of land in the Chocolate Hills are still recognized although their usage of land is restricted and regulated. [7]

Resort

Captain's Peak Garden and Resort
OwnerEdgar Buton
Opened2019 (2019)
ClosedMarch 14, 2024 (2024-03-14)

The resort which is subject to controversy was Captain's Peak Garden and Resort in the barangay of Libertad Norte in Sagbayan. [8]

The property associated with the resort was first listed in Bohol's Register of Deeds on August 28, 1996 – a year prior to the Ramos declaration. The land was acquired by the resort owners in 2005. Captain's Peak started operations in 2019. [7]

Prior to the controversy which started in March 2024, the DENR already issued a temporary closure on the resort in September 2023. [9] The resort continued operating. On January 22, 2024 the DENR has issued a violation notice due to the resort operating without an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC). [10]

Events

Vlog coverage

The controversy arose after vlogger and social media content creator Ren The Adventurer featured Captain's Peak Garden and Resort in his video. The video is a review of the resort and was published on Facebook on March 6, 2024. It featured aerial shots of the resort in between three of the Chocolate Hills. [3] [11] Resort owner Edgar Buton thanked Ren for the coverage but the resort would receive significant negative reception. [1]

Closure of the resort

On March 14, 2024, Captain's Peak ceased operations after its business permit was revoked by the Sagbayan local government. [12] [13]

Congressional inquiries

The resort has been subject of inquiries in the Senate and the House of Representatives. The liability of the Department of Natural Resources as member of the Protected Area Management Board and local officials was questioned. [14] [15] [16] [17]

ACT-CIS Partylist Representative Erwin Tulfo compared the resort to an eyesore and a "wart" and noticed that there are two other resorts built on the Chocolate Hills. [18] [19]

Actions by the local government

A task force was formed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on March 18 to recommend charges before the Office of the Ombudsman. The local government led by Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado, Sagbayan Mayor Suarez, and 2nd District Representative Vanessa Aumentado met to investigate the culpability and it was agreed that "Captain’s Peak should remain closed while the issue was not yet resolved." [20] [21]

Suspension of government officials

On May 28, 2024, the Ombudsman imposed a six-month preventive suspension on Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado and 68 other officials in the province, including the mayors of eight municipalities (Sagbayan, Batuan, Catigbian, Clarin, Bilar, Sierra Bullones, Valencia, and Carmen) as part of its investigation into illegal construction within the Chocolate Hills. [22]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bohol</span> Philippines province

Bohol, officially the Province of Bohol, is an island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region, consisting of the island itself and 75 minor surrounding islands. Its capital is Tagbilaran. With a land area of 4,821 km2 (1,861 sq mi) and a coastline 261 km (162 mi) long, Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chocolate Hills</span> Geological formation in the Philippines

The Chocolate Hills are a geological formation in the Bohol province of the Philippines. There are at least 1,260 hills, but there may be as many as 1,776 hills spread over an area of more than 50 square kilometers (20 sq mi). They are covered in green grass that turns into a chocolate-like brown during the dry season, hence the name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tagbilaran</span> Capital of Bohol, Philippines

Tagbilaran, officially the City of Tagbilaran, is a 3rd class component city and capital of the province of Bohol, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 104,976 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Batuan, Bohol</span> Municipality in Bohol, Philippines

Batuan, officially the Municipality of Batuan, is a 5th class municipality in the province of Bohol, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 13,845 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bilar, Bohol</span> Municipality in Bohol, Philippines

Bilar, officially the Municipality of Bilar, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Bohol, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 18,512 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carmen, Bohol</span> Municipality in Bohol, Philippines

Carmen, officially the Municipality of Carmen, is a 1st class municipality in the province of Bohol, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 49,191 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catigbian</span> Municipality in Bohol, Philippines

Catigbian, officially the Municipality of Catigbian, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Bohol, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 23,805 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clarin, Bohol</span> Municipality in Bohol, Philippines

Clarin, officially the Municipality of Clarin, is a 5th class municipality in the province of Bohol, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 21,158 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sagbayan</span> Municipality in Bohol, Philippines

Sagbayan, officially the Municipality of Sagbayan, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Bohol, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 24,335 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sierra Bullones</span> Municipality in Bohol, Philippines

Sierra Bullones, officially the Municipality of Sierra Bullones, is a third class municipality in the province of Bohol, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 26,095 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ubay, Bohol</span> Municipality in Bohol, Philippines

Ubay, officially the Municipality of Ubay, is a fast growing 1st class municipality in the province of Bohol, Philippines. Based on the 2020 Philippine Statistics Authority census, it has a population of 81,799 people which is projected to grow to 100,000 in 2030.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tagbilaran Airport</span> Former airport of Tagbilaran, Bohol, Philippines

Tagbilaran Airport was an airport that served the general area of Tagbilaran, the capital city of the province of Bohol in the Philippines. The airport was built and opened in the 1960s until it was closed for scheduled passenger services on November 27, 2018, when it was replaced by the new Bohol–Panglao International Airport.

The legislative districts of Bohol are the representations of the province of Bohol in the various national legislatures of the Philippines. The province is currently represented in the lower house of the Congress of the Philippines through its first, second, and third congressional districts.

Local elections were held in the province of Bohol on May 10, 2010, as part of the 2010 general election. Voters elected candidates for all local positions: a city or town mayor, vice mayor and town councilors, three to four members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the vice-governor, governor, and representatives for the three district of Bohol. Bohol had posted an approximate total of 736,468 eligible voters based on the latest count after the deadline set on October 31, 2009, compared to a total of 695,445 voters in the 2007 election. A total of 610,494, or 82.89%, cast their votes during the election day.

Local elections were held on May 13, 2013 in the province of Bohol as part of the 2013 Philippine General election. Registered voters elected local positions, which were 386 city and municipal councilors, 48 city and town mayors and vice-mayors, 10 provincial board or Sangguniang Panlalawigan members, one governor and vice-governor, and one representative for each of the three districts of Bohol.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erico Aristotle Aumentado</span> Filipino politician and businessman (born 1977)

Erico Aristotle Cabagnot Aumentado, also known in Bohol as Aris, is a Filipino businessman and politician. He was a member of the House of Representatives, representing the second district of Bohol. He is the Governor of the Province of Bohol, assuming office on June 30, 2022 but was preventively suspended on May 28, 2024 due to the controversial resort construction in the middle of the Chocolate Hills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape</span>

The Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape is a protected landscape area of forested limestone hills, grasslands and natural springs in the island province of Bohol in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines. It is the largest remaining tract of natural forest in Bohol and one of the Philippines' top birdwatching sites. The park was initially gazetted a national park in 1987 covering approximately 9,023 hectares. In 2000, it was reestablished as a protected landscape under the National Integrated Protected Areas System covering its present area of 10,452.6 hectares. The park is one of the island's major tourist attractions located just south of the famous Chocolate Hills. It was named after the Bohol chieftain who entered into a blood-compact with Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi on the island in 1565.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bohol's 3rd congressional district</span> House of Representatives of the Philippines legislative district

Bohol's 3rd congressional district is one of the three congressional districts of the Philippines in the province of Bohol. It has been represented in the House of Representatives of the Philippines since 1916 and earlier in the Philippine Assembly from 1907 to 1916. The district consists of the southeastern municipalities of Alicia, Anda, Batuan, Bilar, Candijay, Carmen, Dimiao, Duero, Garcia Hernandez, Guindulman, Jagna, Lila, Loay, Loboc, Mabini, Pilar, Sevilla, Sierra Bullones and Valencia. It is currently represented in the 19th Congress by Alexie Tutor of the Lakas–CMD.

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The Loay Interior Road is a 78.92-kilometer (49.04 mi), two lane national secondary road that connects the municipality of Loay to the municipality of Trinidad in Bohol, Philippines. This highway serves as one of the principal gateways to Carmen, which is known for being the main location and tourist spot of the Chocolate Hills.

References

  1. 1 2 "Timeline: The Chocolate Hills resort controversy". Rappler. March 18, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  2. ↑ Magramo, Kathleen (March 22, 2024). "New resort at protected natural wonder stirs fierce debate on conservation in the Philippines". CNN. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 Pasion, Lorenz (March 14, 2024). "What you need to know about Chocolate Hills". Rappler. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  4. ↑ "Vera Files Fact Check: Post on controversial Chocolate Hills resort location NEEDS CONTEXT". VERA Files. March 20, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Bohol Island UNESCO Global Geopark". UNESCO. May 24, 2023. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  6. ↑ Lachica, Immae (March 14, 2024). "Netizens share thoughts on controversial resort in Bohol's Chocolate Hills". Cebu Daily News. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  7. 1 2 Bosano, Raphael (March 14, 2024). "Manager of controversial Chocolate Hills resort admits not being able to acquire environment certificate; workers prepare for jobless days ahead". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Manager ng Captain's Peak Resort sa Bohol, umaasang 'di sila tuluyang ipasasara". Balitambayan (in Filipino). GMA Network. March 19, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  9. ↑ Peralta-Malonzo, Third Anne (March 13, 2024). "DENR orders closure of Chocolate Hills pool resort back in September 2023". SunStar. Manila. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  10. ↑ Formalejo, Rick (March 19, 2024). "The Crucial Role of Environmental Compliance Certificates in Resort Development". BluPrint. One Mega Group, Inc. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Don't look at us! DENR reacts to viral Chocolate Hills resort; says closure order issued in 2023". Manila Bulletin. March 13, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  12. ↑ Sitchon, John (March 15, 2024). "Controversial Chocolate Hills resort shuts down". Rappler. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  13. ↑ Obedencio, Ric (March 15, 2024). "Chocolate Hills resort halts operations". Philippine Star. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  14. ↑ Ramos-Araneta, Macon (March 17, 2024). "Probe on Bohol resort to continue despite recess". Manila Standard. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  15. ↑ Palaubsanon, Mitchelle; Magsumbol, Caecent No-ot (March 15, 2024). "Resort beside Chocolate Hills: Congressional inquiries pushed". The Freeman (in English and Filipino). Philippine Star. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  16. ↑ Abarca, Charie (April 3, 2024). "Senate probes construction of resort inside Chocolate Hills". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  17. ↑ Cruz, Maricel (May 20, 2024). "Tulfo cites loopholes in law on Chocolate Hills mess". Manila Standard. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  18. ↑ Panti, Llanesca (March 14, 2024). "'Parang kulugo': House sets probe into Chocolate Hills resort". GMA News. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  19. ↑ Antalan, Mary (March 15, 2024). "Two more resorts spotted built in Chocolate Hills". DZRH . Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  20. ↑ Udtohan, Leo (March 19, 2024). "Bohol execs meet to pinpoint culprits behind illegal Chocolate Hills structures". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  21. ↑ Argosino, Faith (March 19, 2024). "DILG task force digs into how Chocolate Hills resort was built". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  22. ↑ "Bohol governor, 68 others suspended over Chocolate Hills resort mess". Philippine Daily Inquirer. May 28, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
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