Bohol folk seek changes in law on protected areas

APPEAL Residents and officials of Batuan, Bohol, hold a prayer rally on July 31 to ask President Marcos and Congress to amend the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act that declared the entire town of Batuan a protected area. —LEO UDTOHAN

BATUAN, BOHOL – More than two years since her house was damaged by Typhoon “Odette” (international name: Rai) in December 2021, Anselma Baguio has yet to start any repairs in the family home here.

The 69-year-old farmer could not do so since she and other residents of Batuan had to secure an environmental clearance certificate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) before they could build or renovate anything.

This is because their houses are located near some of the mounds of the famous Chocolate Hills.

Since the entire Batuan is part of a protected area, it is illegal to construct a toilet, start a “sari-sari” (variety) store and operate a vulcanizing shop, among others, in their neighborhood.

No one could build anything within the protected area without any clearance from authorities, said acting Mayor Zing Bulalaque.

The Chocolate Hills, a geological wonder comprising of 1,776 uniformly shaped conical hills in different sizes, are spread over the towns of Bilar, Carmen, Batuan, Sierra Bullones and Sagbayan.

According to the DENR, the hills are protected under Republic Act No. 11038 or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act (e-Nipas) so any construction or renovation of structures near them needs clearances from authorities.

Residents of Batuan as well as those from the towns of Bilar, Sagbayan and Carmen staged a rally on July 31 to express their sentiments against RA 11038.

At least 3,000 people gathered at Batuan’s town plaza where a Holy Mass, praise and worship activity, and a candle lighting ceremony were held.

Local officials, government workers, teachers as well as pastors and priests from different religious denominations joined the rally, hoping that Malacañang, the Senate and the House of Representatives will consider amending RA 11038.

Action needed

“This is an opportunity for us to make our voices heard by our higher ups in the government…,” said Bulalaque, noting that RA 11038 made their town’s economy and tourism stagnant.

“My message to President Bongbong Marcos is that our municipality really needs your action. Your approval for the amendment of this law is needed so we can develop our full potential for the municipality of Batuan,” she said.

READ: Odette: Impact on PH described as ‘catastrophic’

Batuan, at least 51 kilometers from the capital city of Tagbilaran, has a population of 13,845. It is home to 70 of Bohol’s Chocolate Hills, named so because these brown mounds look like chocolates during the dry season.

Bohol Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado; eight mayors, including Batuan Mayor Antonino Jumawid; and 31 barangay captains of Bohol are serving a six-month suspension imposed by the Office of the Ombudsman due to the controversial construction of illegal structures by the Captain’s Peak Garden and Resort at the foot of the Chocolate Hills.

Captain’s Peak was granted business, building and locational permits by the local government of Sagbayan from 2020 to 2024 despite repeated failures in obtaining permits and clearances from the DENR.

Declared as a protected area in 1997 by then President Fidel Ramos, the Chocolate Hills natural monument is listed as one of the World Heritage Sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco).

It is also one of the geosites included in the Bohol Island Global Geopark, the first declared by Unesco in the Philippines.