Bohol Resort Operates Without Environmental Compliance, Faces Penalties

Bohol, Philippines – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) revealed on Friday that Captain’s Peak Garden and Resort, located near the iconic Chocolate Hills in Bohol, has been operating without an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC), despite having received both a building permit and a permit to operate from the Sagbayan municipality.

According to Philippines News Agency, the resort was initially issued a building permit in 2020 and continued construction into 2022 without the required ECC.

The absence of an ECC came to light despite the resort obtaining a resolution from the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) in 2020, which endorsed the project under the condition that an ECC would be obtained prior to any construction activities. The resort sought and received another PAMB resolution in 2022 after relocating the project site, still with the stipulation of securing an ECC before proceeding. The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) discovered the construction without an ECC in September 2023 and issued a notice of violation along with a request to halt operations.

Despite these warnings, the resort applied for an ECC but failed to provide the complete documents needed, leading to continued operation and eventual issuance of a joint cease and desist order in 2023 to ensure the resort ceased operations. DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations and Environment Juan Miguel Cuna emphasized the resort’s clear awareness of the requirement to obtain an ECC and noted multiple penalties the owner faces for various violations, including construction without an ECC and potential criminal liability under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Law, with fines ranging from PHP1 million to PHP5 million and possible imprisonment.

The DENR is now investigating the matter further and has started using aerial surveillance to monitor the situation. Chocolate Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is protected under Proclamation No. 1037 issued in 1997, highlighting the significance of ensuring compliance with environmental regulations to preserve its integrity.