Binay, Villar eyeing to inspect illegal resort in Chocolate Hills

Chocolate Hills in Tagbilaran, Bohol, Philippines. | Photo by LIONEL BONAVENTURE / AFP

MANILA, Philippines —  Senators Nancy Binay and Cynthia Villar are eyeing an ocular inspection in Bohol in relation to the now-viral Captain’s Peak Garden and Resort constructed in the Chocolate Hills protected area.

Binay made the pronouncement in a radio interview on Friday.

“In fact, may commitment na si Sen. Villar na during the break—last session na namin sa Wednesday—ay magko-conduct sya ng hearing. At napag-usapan na na during the break, mag-o-ocular inspection kami sa Bohol,” Binay said over a Gising Pilipinas interview.

(In fact, Senator Villar already has a commitment that during the break—our last session will be on Wednesday—she will conduct a hearing. And it has been discussed that during the break, we will have an ocular inspection in Bohol.)

Last Thursday, Villar vowed to initiate a resolution to investigate the construction of illegal structures in the world-renowned tourist spot.

READ: DENR stops operation of Chocolate Hills resort

In the interview, Binay also expressed confusion as to how the Captain’s Peak Garden and Resort was constructed in the Chocolate Hills.

“Hindi lang ang Chocolate Hills, it is the whole Bohol Island ang nagkaroon ng pagkilala sa Unesco kaya nakakagulat paano nagkaroon ng resort sa lugar na iyon. Paano kaya sila nakakapunta sa lugar na iyon, may kalsada kaya? ‘Di ba? Nakakagulat,” she said.

(It’s not just the Chocolate Hills; the entire Bohol Island was recognized by Unesco, so it’s surprising how a resort was established in that area. How do they even get to that place? Is there a road? It’s shocking.)

READ: Chocolate Hills resort not accredited by DOT

Binay also proposed demolishing the resort, citing it as an eyesore in the famous tourist attraction.

“Ang sa akin napaka eyesore nya kasi. Ang sakit sa bangs ng itsura,” she said.

(For me, it’s such an eyesore. The appearance is really painful to look at.)

The senator added that they will look into the “master plan and comprehensive land use” of the area given reports that there are other establishments in the Chocolate Hills aside from the Captain’s Peak Garden and Resort.

Last Thursday, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources issued a cease and desist order against the controversial establishment.

The order has put the resort under close monitoring to make sure it won’t open for business.