Speaker Martin Romualdez ordered an investigation into the construction and operation of a resort in Bohol’s Chocolate Hills, which the government has declared as a protected area and is in the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites.
Deputy Majority Leader Rep. Erwin Tulfo said Thursday that with the Speaker’s directive, the House leadership will launch a congressional inquiry in aid of legislation on the matter next week.
“We are set to file on Monday a motu proprio inquiry regarding that matter. The House leadership also shares its displeasure on the matter,” Tulfo said.
“I’ve been communicating with the Speaker, we have talked about it,and I suggested we will file [a resolution to call for an inquiry regarding this matter],” he added.
Tulfo scored the manager of the Captain’s Peak Resort, Julieta Sablas,for saying they were allowed to operate despite lacking an Environment Compliance Certificate (ECC).
Speaking to ABS-CBN News, Sablas said that prior to acquiring business permits, the local government directed them to the Protected Area Management Bureau (PAMB).
“No matter what the excuse is, whatever they are babbling on socialmedia, their manager there, Ms. Sablay (failure)…or Sablan, she says they didn’t move those Chocolate Hills,” Tulfo said.
Tulfo likened the Captain’s Peak Resort to a wart or “kulugo.”
He said the Speaker wants to know who is responsible for allowing the resort to open and operate.
Tulfo added that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and its field personnel also have a lot of explaining to do.
The resort on Wednesday evening announced its temporary closure.
“To our valued guests. This is to inform you that our resort istemporarily closed until further notice. Sorry, for the inconvenience,” Captain’s Peak Garden and Resort said on its Facebook account.
Sablas said the LGU told them to engage with PAMB, which gave them “clearance” and endorsed the proposed construction of a function hall, Captain’s Peak landmark, photo booth, swimming pool, cottages, zip line, shower and dressing room, and slides among others, ABS-CBN News said.
Sablas said they were unable to work on the ECC given the challenges during the pandemic.
“We operated smoothly. The pandemic went on for three years, we forgot about the ECC. This is what happened,” she said.
Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said any activity that could cause damage to a protected area will have consequences.
“Any activity that disturbs or damages protected areas such as the Chocolate Hills, without proper authorization, is prohibited by law,” he said.
“We will look into the accountability of the local government units (LGUs) concerned,” Abalos added.
Dr. Ivan Anthony Henares, Secretary-General of the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines, added: “If the resort was constructed before August 24, 2023 when RA11961 was signed into law, prior environmental laws protecting the Chocolate Hills should be considered.”
“We ask the PAMB of the Chocolate Hills to revisit their development guidelines for the protected area to prevent these incompatible developments from happening in the future,” Henares added.
