BINAY SLAMS CONSTRUCTION OF RESORTS IN CHOCOLATE HILLS

SENATOR Nancy Binay on Wednesday expressed dismay over the construction of structures in the protected areas of Chocolate Hills in Bohol.

“Nakakagalit at nakakadurog ng puso ang nakita nating mga nakatayo nang resorts sa mga paanan mismo ng Chocolate Hills. Sa unang tingin pa lamang, alam na nating may mali, the senator said.

“Kung ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno na may tungkulin at responsibilidad na pangalagaan ang Chocolate Hills ay may pro-environment mindset, ang tanong po natin, bakit nakapagtayo ng resort at mayroon pang cottages at swimming pool sa isang ‘classified natural monument’ sa ilalim ng NIPAS, at isang protected UNESCO geopark?, she added.

Binay said she understands the importance of development, but there should be boundaries.

“If the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) continues to issue ECCs (Environmental Compliance Certificate) in the guise of ‘tourism development,’ I believe they have misunderstood what ecotourism is all about, and they have become complicit in defacing a natural monument they’re supposed to oppose, the female lawmaker said.

“It has also come to my attention that PAMB (Protected Area Management Board) in 2022 and 2023 approved the proposal and issued a resolution ‘favorably endorsing’ the development of Captain’s Peak Resort situated at Canmano, Sagbayan, Bohol within the Chocolate Hills Natural Monument (CHNM),” Binay said.

Binay wanted the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Protected Area Management Board, Bohol Environment and Management Office, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office and the local government units to explain as to why even with Chocolate Hills’ protected status, construction permits continue to be granted.