At present, the government has not yet issued a direct order regarding the demolition of the proposed resort at the foot of the Chocolate Hills, despite its authority as stated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). It is considered private property, even though it is located within a “protected area.”
According to Undersecretary for Field Operations and Environment Juan Miguel Cuna of the DENR, the situation needs to be thoroughly studied before any demolition can take place. He emphasized that although the resort is privately owned, it should not operate without an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).
Many netizens and concerned citizens are worried about the continued operation of the resort, which could cause damage to one of the Philippines’ first UNESCO Global Geoparks. Some express support for the proposal to completely demolish the resort to preserve the integrity of the Chocolate Hills.
Although the land where the resort is located is privately owned, President Fidel V. Ramos declared it a protected area in 1997. Consequently, anyone planning development or establishments in the area must adhere to regulations and restrictions.
The DENR enforces various penalties and fines for violations of environmental regulations, including construction without an ECC, and discharging water without a permit, among others. These penalties could amount to significant fines and even imprisonment.
Currently, the resort is complying with the temporary closure order from the DENR while taking steps for maintenance and environmental compliance. However, it remains uncertain whether the resort can resume operations in the future, as the DENR is thoroughly studying this.
Due to the controversy, there have been numerous reactions from the online community and even some Filipino celebrities. The primary concern is the potential damage to one of the Philippines’ most valuable assets, the Chocolate Hills.