The Provincial Government of Bohol is set to create a regulatory body that would pad further construction of permanent structures in the vicinity of Chocolate Hills, a natural monument and a UNESCO-declared global geological park (geopark).

Resort development at the site of Chocolate Hills, regarded a tourism signature of Bohol, received a backlash.

The provincial government said that property owners’ rights are honored based on their legitimate land titles before the site was declared a protected area, a world natural heritage site, and the only global geopark in the country to date.

However, it is emphasized that development on privately-owned lots within protected areas are subject to regulation through an Environmental Impact Statement before the issuance of an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).

“Nikunsulta ko sa akong PLO [Provincial Legal Office] unsay atong mahimo kung maka-stop ba ta? And according to our PLO, Atty. Handel Lagunay, nga lisod tungod kay it’s titled, adunay permit from PAMB [Protected Area Management Board] (Nag-consult ako sa aking PLO, kung pwede bang ipahinto? And according to our PLO, Atty. Handel Lagunay, na mahirap dahil it’s titled, at may permit from PAMB),” Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado said.

The governor also pointed out that the Bohol Provincial Government has not received any word from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources issued against Captain’s Peak Garden and Resort in Sagbayan town last September 2023.

The provincial government is also open to a Senate inquiry into the controversy.

“Mahibaw ang mga tawo unsa’y tinuod ug moabot na sa Senate. At least unsa’y lapses pud sa taga-DENR (Para malaman ng mga tao kung ano ang totoo pag umabot na ito sa Senate. At least kung anong lapses ng taga-DENR),” Aumentado added.

The resort put its operations on a halt beginning March 14, 2024.

“Close[d] already. The LGU has issued already for temporary close [closure], March 14 official,” Juliet Sablas, resort manager, disclosed.

Sablas admitted their failure to comply with the requisites for the issuance of an ECC.

“Wala. Mao na’y problema namo, wala mi ECC. Lisud ning ignorante kaayo kanang magku-an ba og business. Mao nay lesson to learn. So wala nay mahimo ato na lang paningkamutan nga i-comply (Wala. Yan ang problema namin, wala kaming ECC. Mahirap ang ignorante sa business. Lesson learned ito. So wala kaming magawa, sisikapin na lang namin na mag-comply),” Sablas added.