The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Wednesday organized an inspection team to see to it that the closure order against an alleged illegally operating resort within the Chocolate Hills in Bohol is enforced.
The DENR said the Captain’s Peak Resort had been issued a notice of violation in January this year for operating without an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) and a temporary closure order last September 2023.
“As of March 13, 2024, the Regional Executive Director Paquito Melicor issued a memorandum directing Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Bohol Ariel Rica to create a team to conduct inspection at Captain’s Peak for its compliance with the temporary closure order,” the DENR said in statement.
The Chocolate Hills were declared a protected area on July 1, 1997 through Proclamation No. 1037 issued by then President Fidel Ramos. This designated the Chocolate Hills as a national geological monument and a protected landscape meant to preserve the Chocolate Hills and promote sustainable tourism while protecting the biodiversity and environmental integrity of the area.
The DENR said if the land was titled prior to Proclamation 1037 declaring the Bohol mounds as protected area, the rights and interests of the landowner is generally recognized and respected subject to the imposition of restrictions on land use.
“These restrictions and regulations are to be detailed in the Environmental Impact Statement prior to the issuance of an ECC for the project,” the DENR said.
