Resort on Chocolate Hills

Natural Monument
(CHNM), Bohol
Mark Lenuel M. Bool
Amirah Krisha C. Bool
Fatima Perez
Judiel Mae Leviste
Timeline of Events Leading up to the resort’s closure
● December 3, 2007 - A Transfer Certificate Title No. 37139 states that the
original owner of the land was a member of the Amores clan that was granted
the lot on August 14, 1996, situated in the Barrio of Canmano Municipality of
Sagbayan, Bohol.

Through the years, the land would be used by Buton’s family as a private
recreation area and a camping ground for close friends and travelers passing
by their residence.
Timeline of Events Leading up to the resort’s closure
● February 15, 2018 - Local officials of Barangay Canmano, including tourism officer
Perfecto Bambe, and Buton’s sister, Julieta Sablas, attend a special meeting of the
Chocolate Hills Natural Monument (CHNM)-Protected Area Management Board
(PAMB) at Reyna’s the Haven and Gardens in Tagbilaran City to discuss the
proposal to build the Captain’s Peak Garden Eco-Park.
● The proposed project includes the establishment of a function hall, landmark, photo
booth, swimming pool, cottages, zip line, shower and dressing room, parking area,
coconut garden, flower garden, and water fountain.
● DENR Central Visayas Director Gilbert Gonzales III signs the resolution as chairman
of the PAMB, signifying the government agency’s approval of the project.
Timeline of Events Leading up to the resort’s closure
● January 2019 - 2020 - Captain’s Peak owner Buton and administrator Sablas
get their official business permit from the office of the mayor of Sagbayan.
The mayor at the time is Ricardo Suarez.
● The management of Captain’s Peak doesn’t have an ECC but begins
operating as a resort, welcoming guests.
● The management also creates an official Facebook page on January 12,
2019, and posts photos of guests posing by built structures on January 19,
2019.
Timeline of Events Leading up to the resort’s closure
● July 2021-2022 - The DENR, through its counterpart in Tagbilaran City, conducts a
projection and ground verification of Buton’s land which spans 10,068 square
meters.
● Buton receives the DENR certification for Land Classification Status. The land is
classified as Alienable and Disposable, which means that private persons like Buton
can legally claim possession over it.
● Elena Suarez, the OIC of the City Environment & Natural Resources Office
(CENRO) in Tagbilaran, signs and approves the certification.
● Representatives of the CHNM PAMB Committee on Biodiversity Conservation and
Monitoring conducts an inspection of the Captain’s Peak Resort development areas.
Timeline of Events Leading up to the resort’s closure
● July 2022-2023 - The CHNM-PAMB holds another meeting with Canmano officials
and Captain’s Peak management regarding a proposal to transfer the development
of amenities and facilities such as the swimming pool, cottages and function hall
from its initial project sites near the Chocolate Hills protected zone to the resort’s
parking area.
● DENR Central Visayas Director Paquito Melicor Jr. signs Resolution No. 21, s. 2022,
endorsing the development of Captain’s Peak Resort within the CHNM.
● “Whereas, the project area is located at the flat portion and it is within the Multiple
Use Zone of CHNM Protected Area per proposed zoning. The area is a titled
property owned by Edgar Buton,” the document reads.
● The resolution reiterates that the project proponents must secure necessary
permits, clearance from the local government unit (LGU) and other government
entities.
Timeline of Events Leading up to the resort’s closure
● 2023 - The Sangguniang Barangay of Canmano passes Resolution No. 2, s.
2023, requesting Sagbayan Mayor Restituto Suarez III to repair the
Canmano-Libertad Norte access road going to Captain’s Peak.
● Some residents express their concern about the apparent “cutting” of the feet
of two Chocolate Hills in the area for the road widening.
● The DENR issues a temporary closure order (TCO) against Captain’s Peak
Resort. It is unclear if a copy of the TCO was given to local authorities,
especially the governor.
● The resort still operates while completing important documents like the ECC
at this point.
Timeline of Events Leading up to the resort’s closure
● 2024 - Suarez signs and approves the renewal of the business permit of
Captain’s Peak Resort. The Mayor’s Permit Number is BP-2024-00096-0. The
amount paid for the permit is P13,932.40.
● DENR sends Captain’s Peak management a Notice of Violation for operating
without an ECC. It is unclear if a copy of the notice was given to local
authorities.
● Vlogger Ren the Adventurer posts a drone shot video of Captain’s Peak
Resort, catching the attention of numerous netizens who claim that the resort
has “destroyed” the Chocolate Hills.
● Media outlets pick up the story about the controversial Bohol resort.
Timeline of Events Leading up to the resort’s closure
● Present - The LGU of Sagbayan serves the revocation of the resort’s
business permit.
● “Unless they can provide us the ECC from the DENR in Central Visayas, then
we cannot renew their permit. They can reapply, so to speak, but until then,
we cannot renew,” Sagbayan executive secretary to the mayor Felito Pon
says. Pon adds that it was only on March 15 that the Sagbayan LGU learned
about the TCO and Notice of Violation.
● In a social media post, Captain’s Peak Resort informs the public about the
revocation of their permit and expresses disappointment about the situation.
Problems
● Lack of collaboration between the local government unit (LGU) of Sagbayan and its provincial
government counterpart regarding permit issuance.
● Damage to the natural landscape caused by the construction of swimming pool.
● Loss of biodiversity and habitat disruption.
● Potential water pollution from chemicals used in the pools.
● Impact on the visual aesthetics and cultural significance of the Chocolate Hills.
● Construction of access roads leading to the said resort may cause additional damage to the
heritage location.
● Proper disposal of construction waste and management of ongoing waste generated by the
resort's operations.
● Introducing plant species that are not native to the soil type of the Chocolate Hills area can
disrupt the present ecosystem and potentially harm the native flora and fauna.
Violations
● Issuance of Building Permit from LGU Sagbayan, Bohol without secured
Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC)
● Zoning of the said controversial resort is Multi-Use Zone, not a Strict
Protection Zone.
● Barangay officials issued a certificate to the resort on July 28, 2022.
● Violation of discharging water without discharge permit.
● Failure to register as a hazardous waste generator.
● Failure to get a permit from the National Water Resource Board (NWRB) for
building a well in the area.
● Failure to obtain accreditation from Department of Tourism.
Laws Involved
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7852 - AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE IMPROVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE
CHOCOLATE HILLS TOURIST SPOT IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF CARMEN, PROVINCE OF BOHOL

Section 1. The Chocolate Hills tourist spot in the Municipality of Carmen, Province of Bohol, shall hereby be
improved and developed in order to further enhance its tourism attraction and potentials.

Sec. 2. The Department of Tourism, in coordination with the Philippine Tourism Authority and other
concerned agencies of the government, shall prepare the development plan and construct the appropriate
facilities and infrastructure for the area, subject to set tourism standards: provided, that the development plan
shall ensure the protection and preservation of the natural beauty and historical significance thereof.

Sec. 3. The Department of Tourism shall take immediate steps to implement said development plan and
incorporate the same in the Department's overall tourism development program for the ensuing calendar year.

Sec. 4. The Department of Tourism shall promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary for the
effective implementation of this Act.

Sec. 5. This Act shall take effect immediately upon its approval.
Laws Involved
PROCLAMATION NO. 1037, S. 1997 - ESTABLISHING THE ONE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED SEVENTY SIX (1,776)
HILLS, MORE OR LESS, POPULARLY KNOWN AS THE “CHOCOLATE HILLS” AND THE AREAS WITHIN, AROUND, AND
SURROUNDING THEM LOCATED IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF CARMEN, BATUAN AND SAGBAYAN, BILAR, VALENCIA AND
SIERRA BULLONES, PROVINCE OF BOHOL AS A NATURAL MONUMENT TO PROTECT AND MAINTAIN ITS NATURAL
BEAUTY AND TO PROVIDE RESTRAINING MECHANISMS FOR INAPPROPRIATE EXPLOITATION
Solutions or Implementation
- Conduct a thorough assessment of the ecological impact of the swimming pools.
- Enforce strict regulations on development and construction in heritage sites.
- Implement zoning laws to protect sensitive areas within the Chocolate Hills.
- Raise awareness about the importance of preserving natural heritage sites.
- Educate locals and tourists about the ecological significance of the Chocolate Hills.
- Develop alternative recreational facilities that do not harm the natural landscape, such as
viewing decks or hiking trails.
- Promote sustainable tourism practices that minimize environmental impact.
- Restore damaged areas and rehabilitate ecosystems affected by the construction of
swimming pools.
- Implement revegetation and erosion control measures.
- Establish regular monitoring mechanisms to track the condition of the Chocolate Hills.
- Enforce penalties for violations of conservation laws and regulations.
- Impose strict accountability to both government officials and professionals who are involved
in the planning and implementation of the project.
References
- https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/15/chocolate-hills-resort-controversy-denr-chief-passes-buck-to-bo
hol-town-officials
- https://www.rappler.com/nation/visayas/timeline-controversy-chocolate-hills-resort/
- https://edition.cnn.com/2024/03/21/asia/philippines-chocolate-hills-bohol-resort-controversy-in
tl-hnk/index.html#:~:text=The%20hills%20were%20declared%20a,restraining%20mechanism
s%20for%20inappropriate%20exploitation.%E2%80%9D
- https://chanrobles.com/republicactno7852.html