MANILA -- Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco met with Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado over the controversial construction of Captain’s Peak Resort at the iconic Chocolate Hills.

At their meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) International Conference on Women in Travel, Frasco said the DOT wants to make sure that Bohol's tourism is sustainable.

‘Yung Chocolate Hills iniingatan po namin’: Manager of controversial Bohol resort speaks up

”Being blessed with this incredible, rich, and beautiful resource comes with the enormous responsibility of ensuring it is maintained and conserved," the secretary said.

She also said that the DOT hopes to be part of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), so they can make recommendations on preservation and sustainable tourism development in the country's protected areas.

For his part, Aumentado said that the local government unit (LGU) will create a new committee that will oversee and review guidelines on matters concerning investments and initiatives so that it would not hurt the environment.

”We’ll call it Review and Development Committee.  [The] DOT will be part of this committee. Every time they will ask for PAMB clearance, they will pass through this committee,” he said.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources said that it had already ordered the temporary closure of the now-viral resort in September 2023.  

The controversial resort's business permit has been canceled after it drew backlash and concern from netizens over its proximity to the Chocolate Hills, which were declared a protected area in 1997 to preserve its iconic landscape and promote sustainable tourism. 

Viral Chocolate Hills resort ordered closed due to violation: DENR

The manager of Captain’s Peak Resort said they were allowed to operate despite lacking an Environment Compliance Certificate (ECC).

Manager of controversial Chocolate Hills resort admits not being able to acquire environment certificate; workers prepare for jobless days ahead

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has ordered an investigation into a resort constructed in the iconic Chocolate Hills in Bohol.  

House to probe Chocolate Hills resort

The Department of the Interior and Local Government said it has formed a task force to look into the resort's construction.

DILG task force to look into viral Chocolate Hills resort

Chocolate Hills resort 'an eyesore', agencies pointing fingers: Binay