THE management of the resort in Bohol’s Chocolate Hills protected area has announced it is temporarily shutting down amid a public uproar over its operations.
On it’s Facebook page, Captain Peak’s Garden and Resort announced on Wednesday night: “To our valued guests. This is to inform you that our resort is temporarily closed until further notice. Sorry, for the inconvenience.”
Photos of the resort’s amenities, including swimming pools, slides, and cabanas in the middle of famous Chocolate Hills, as well as videos uploaded by former guests who tagged the resort, have not been taken down by the resort’s Facebook administrator and were still available on its page.
Captain’s Peak Garden and Resort is a “tourist destination” located in the middle of the Chocolate Hills in Libertad Norte, Sagbayan, Bohol.
The Chocolate Hills and the surrounding areas were designated as a National Geological Monument and Protected Landscape by Proclamation 1037 on July 1, 1997 in recognition of its “unique geological formations and the importance of covering this wonder for future generations.”
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) also recognized the Chocolate Hills Natural Monument as part of its prestigious World Heritage List.
The temporary closure of the resort comes a day after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) ordered the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) to inspect the resort and check its compliance with the temporary closure order issued in September 2023.
The DENR has also issued a violation notice against the establishment last January for operating without an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC).
Sen. Nancy Binay, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Tourism, on Wednesday sought an investigation into the matter, saying that the DENR, other government agencies and local government units should explain the granting of permit for the construction of the resort.
At the House, Speaker Martin Romualdez ordered a motu proprio investigation into the construction and operation of the resort.
Rep. Erwin Tulfo (PL, ACT-CIS), a deputy speaker for communications, told a press briefing: “We are set to file on Monday a motu proprio inquiry regarding that matter,”
Also yesterday, Rep. Arlene Brosas (PL, Gabriela) filed House Resolution No. 1648 calling for a House inquiry into the construction of the Captain’s Peak Garden and Resort.
“Clearly, the DENR failed to ensure that the resort complied with the closure order issued last September 2023. It is important to scrutinize how such construction was permitted in an area which is supposedly safeguarded by environmental regulations,” Brosas said in filing the resolution.
Tulfo likened the Captain’s Peak Resort to a “facial wart.” “Para siyang kulugo, ‘di ba?
Tumubong kulugo sa mukha mo, okay. So ang pangit ho e kahit ano hong palusot (It’s like a wart, right? A wart that grew on your face, okay. It’s ugly, whatever alibi they make).”
“Kahit ano pa hong palusot, daldal po ng daldal sa social media iyong kanilang manager duon na si Ms. Sablay o Sablan, e sinasabi niya hindi naman daw nila ginalaw iyong Chocolate Hills (Whatever alibi they try and they talk a lot on social media, their manager Ms. Sablay or Sablan, who is saying they did not touch Chocolate Hills),” Tulfo said.
The neophyte lawmaker was referring to Julieta Sablas, the resort’s administrator and sister of owner seaman Edgar Buton.
“The mere fact na nanduon ka, tiningan ko nga hindi nga ho nila ginalaw, nasa gitna sila ng dalawang hill, sinira ho nila iyong view (The mere fact that the resort is there, even if they did not touch it since they’re in between two hills, they already destroyed the view,” he said. “Pangit na tignan (It doesn’t look good anymore).”
Tulfo said the DENR and its field personnel have a lot of explaining to do, along with the Land Registration Authority, which is in charge of the titling of lands.
“Bakit napa-tituluhan po iyan? So marami pong ahensiya. Magiging busy po ang Congress siguro after we file the motu proprio inquiry. Hindi po tayo papayag, marami pong nagagalit (How were they able to acquire a title? So there are many agencies involved. Congress will be very busy after we file the motu proprio inquiry. We will not allow it to pass. Many people are angry),” he said.
Brosas also slammed the local government unit (LGU) of Bohol for organizing a provincial athletic meet at the resort. “Ang nakakabahala pa rito, alam din ng lokal na pamahalaan na may ganitong resort na itinayo pero imbis na ipasara, pinagdausan pa ng aktibidad (What’s worrisome here is the local government knows that a resort was constructed there but instead of closing it down, they even even held an activity there),” she said.
“Dapat imbestigahan at ipatigil ang operasyon nito. Hindi natin alam baka ang iba pang mga protected areas ay pinapasok na ng mga negosyante, kapareho ng ginagawa ngayon sa Masungi Georeserve (This has to be investigated and the operations, stopped. We don’t know if other protected areas are also being exploited by businessmen, lile what’s happening to Masungi Georeserve now),” Brosas said.
Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr said the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is looking into the possible culpability of local government officials of Bohol for allowing the construction of the resort.
In a statement, Abalos said: “Chocolate Hills is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a protected area under Proclamation No. 1037, series of 1997 and Republic Act No. 7586 or the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992.”
Thus, Abalos said, any activity that disturbs or damages protected areas such as Chocolate Hills is prohibited by law.
“We will look into the accountability of the local government units concerned,” he said, adding: “Should there be neglect of duty or any other irregularity on the part of the officials tasked with protecting and overseeing the area, we will not hesitate to pursue appropriate legal actions.”
He added that under the Local Government Code, LGUs have the mandate to “enhance the right of people to a balanced ecology.”
“If illegal construction was allowed within a protected area, this would fall gravely short of this responsibility,” said Abalos.
He said the DILG will be working with the DENR “toward any resolution they deem just on this matter.”
Tagbilaran Bishop Alberto Uy yesterday called on Boholanos to do their part in making sure that the natural beauty of the province is preserved.
“It is important for us, Boholanos, to recognize and cherish the unique gifts bestowed upon us, including the extraordinary beauty of landmarks like the Chocolate Hills, pristine white sand beaches, centuries-old churches, and myriad of other natural wonders,” Uy said in a series of Facebook posts.
“We should strive to appreciate and preserve these treasures that make our province truly special,” he added. — Wendell Vigilia, Victor Reyes and Gerard Naval