Viral Chocolate Hills resort undergoes temporary closure for 'maintenance' and 'environmental preservation efforts'
The now-viral resort at the Chocolate Hills in Bohol announced its temporary closure, saying it will undergo "maintenance and environmental preservation efforts."
Captain's Peak Garden and Resort made the announcement in a Facebook post on Thursday, March 14, adding that they will put forward "various eco-friendly initiatives" during its temporary shutdown for its enhanced sustainability.
"We are committed to upholding the highest standards of environmental stewardship and ensuring the preservation of the natural beauty that surrounds us," the management said.
"We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding and support as we work towards a greener, more sustainable future for Captain's Peak Garden and Resort," they continued.
The leisure place became a hot topic on social media after Internet users and lawmakers questioned the DENR and the provincial government of Bohol why a resort was allowed to be built in a protected area like the Chocolate Hills.
On Wednesday, March 13, the DENR said in a statement that it placed a temporary closure order on the resort in September 2023 as well as a Notice of Violation to the project proponent in January this year for operating without an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).
The agency also revealed that regional executive director Paquito D. Melicor issued a memorandum directing PENRO Bohol Ariel Rica to create a team that would conduct an inspection of the result of its compliance with the Temporary Closure Order.
In an interview on TV5's Frontline Pilipinas, resort manager Julieta Sables stressed that they were given permission to run the business, noting that it's been open to the public since 2019.
"Hindi po kami aabot ng 2024 kung wala po kaming business permit. Hindi kami aabot, since 2019 until now, nire-renew 'yung business permit namin. Lahat nung construction namin, meron kaming building permit po," she said.
Proclamation No. 1037 declared the Chocolate Hills a protected area, designating it as a National Geological Monument and a Protected Landscape.
Under the Republic Act 7586, or an Act Providing for the Establishment and Management of Natural Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) specifically in Section 20, certain actions are prohibited within the local spot such as hunting, destroying, disturbing, or mere possession of any plants, animals, or products, dumping any waste product, and altering, removing, destroying, or defacing boundary marks or signs, among others.