Chocolate Hills resort not accredited by DOT

TOO CLOSE Guests at Captain’s Peak Garden and Resort in Sagbayan, Bohol, get to see the world-famous Chocolate Hills up close. —LEO UDTOHAN

MANILA, Philippines — The now-viral Captain’s Peak Resort in the Chocolate Hills in Bohol, has neither accreditation nor an application for one from the Department of Tourism (DOT), the agency revealed on Wednesday.

“The Captain’s Peak Resort Development in Chocolate Hills is not an accredited tourism establishment under the auspices of the Department of Tourism’s accreditation system, and there is no pending application for accreditation for the same,” the DOT said in a statement.

The DOT added that it has been in coordination with the Bohol provincial government since August last year to express its concern regarding the matter, particularly in “recognizing the necessity of preserving the integrity of this natural resource.”

“While development is essential for growth and progress, it must be conducted in harmony with environmental and cultural preservation,” the tourism department pointed out.

It likewise added that the DOT agrees with the Bohol provincial government’s stance that any development within the Chocolate Hills is not in line with its “long-term sustainability and should be disallowed.”

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources also said in a separate statement that it had already issued a temporary closure order against the resort in September 2023.

Meanwhile, a Notice of Violation to the project proponent was also sent last January 22.

Senator Nancy Binay, who is also the chairperson of the Senate committee on tourism, was infuriated over the resort built within the Chocolate Hills protected area.

“Nakakagalit at nakakadurog ng puso ang nakita nating mga nakatayo ng resorts sa mga paanan mismo ng Chocolate Hills,” Binay said in a statement.

(What we saw at the foothills of the Chocolate Hills was infuriating and heartbreaking.)

“Sa unang tingin pa lamang, alam na nating may mali,” she added.

(At first glance, we know something is wrong.)

Binay also sought an inquiry into the construction of structures within the vicinity of the Chocolate Hills through Senate Resolution No. 967 filed on the same day.