558 Chocolate Hills establishments without required documents – DENR

Chocolate Hills, an unusual geological formation in Tagbilaran, Bohol, Philippines. | PHOTO: LIONEL BONAVENTURE / AFP

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Monday reported that a total of 558 establishments within Chocolate Hills are operating without the required Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) endorsement and an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).

During the Natural Resources Committee hearing in the House of Representatives on the controversial Captain’s Peak resort built in Chocolate Hills, the DENR said it had taken inventory of the establishments within the heritage site.

Regional Executive Director Paquito D. Melicor presented the data to lawmakers, including Anti-Crime and Terrorism Community Involvement and Support party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo, Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raoul Manuel, and Gabriela Partylist Rep. Arlene Brosas.

As of May 10, the DENR recorded 637 establishments, only six of which have both a PAMB endorsement and an ECC.

“There are 558 which have no PAMB endorsement and no ECC,” said Melicor.

However, Melicor explained that these establishments were built on land that was legally titled to them.

“With violations. Because every development dapat may ECC. But they are not illegal kasi titled nga yan. They should only be guided [by] the Biodiversity Management Bureau,” said Environmental Management Bureau Region VII Director Ma. Victoria V. Abrera in an ambush interview.

The establishments include multi-purpose centers, sari-sari stores, farm-to-market roads, and more.

According to Abrera, their agency is still discussing legal options.