SAGBAYAN, Bohol — The manager of controversial Captain’s Peak Resort at the foot of the Chocolate Hills in the town of Sagbayan, Bohol claimed on Wednesday evening, that they were allowed to operate despite lacking an Environment Compliance Certificate (ECC).

Speaking to ABS-CBN News, Julieta Sablas said that prior to acquiring business permits, the local government directed them to the Protected Area Management Bureau (PAMB).

“Sabi ng LGU, mag engage muna kayo sa PAMB. Doon kayo mag bigay ng proposed projects ninyo. Pag approved kayo sa PAMB, pwede na kayong kumuha ng business permit sa LGU.”

(The local government unit told us to engage with PAMB and present our proposed projects. If PAMB approves, then that’s the time we can get a business permit from the LGU.)

Sablas said they were given a “clearance from PAMB” where it was stated that the resort’s proponent needs to comply with the ECC requirement.

ABS-CBN News obtained a copy of the PAMB resolution which endorsed the proposed construction of a function hall, Captain’s Peak landmark, photo booth, swimming pool, cottages, zip line, shower and dressing room, slides among others.

Conditions for the endorsement were stipulated including the construction of infrastructure only within 20% area from the base of the hill, considered a multiple use zone as well as the need to secure permits from offices including the ECC.

Sablas admitted they were unable to work on the ECC given the challenges during the pandemic.

“Parang smooth lang, nagooperate kami. Tatlong taon diba yung pandemic, nakalimutan na po namin yung ECC. Ito po ang nangyari.”

(We operated smoothly. The pandemic went on for three years, we forgot about the ECC. This is what happened.)

“Alam kasi nilang nagooperate na kami eh. If you are not allowed to operate without that certificate, talagang i-istop nila kami.”

(They knew we were operating. If you really aren’t allowed to operate without that certificate, they should have stopped us sooner.)

Viral Chocolate Hills resort ordered closed due to violation: DENR

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources earlier said a Temporary Closure Order was issued in September 2023. Last January, a notice of violation was given to the resort proponent for operating without an ECC.

All 1,776 Chocolate Hills in Bohol were declared a National Geological Monument and Protected Land Area by virtue of Proclamation 1037 signed by late President Fidel Ramos in 1997.

The DENR said, if the land was titled prior to the proclamation, the rights and interests of landowners may be recognized. But restrictions and regulations may still be imposed on land-use, even for those privately-owned.

Sablas voluntarily showed ABS-CBN documents to prove ownership of the land they acquired in 2005. A Transfer Certificate of Title indicates the land was originally registered in Bohol’s Register of Deeds last August 28, 1996 — a year before proclamation 1037.

The parcel of land, in Canmano, Sagbayan, where Captain’s Peak Resort now stands, is currently registered in the name of its owner, Edgar Buton.

Other documents like business permits and fire safety inspection certificates, which were both issued only in January, as well as DTI Certificates of Business Name Registration and BIR registrations are proof that their resort has been given a green light to operate by the local government and different agencies, Sablas said.

Employees lose their jobs

Workers of Captain’s Peak Resort, on the eve of closure, were either busy clearing stalls and shutting cottage doors. Most of them relied solely on their income from the resort to support their children’s education.

Irene Mundan, who has been with the resort since it started operation in 2019, said she is both angry and dismayed by the move to shut down the resort.

“Hindi ko talaga maintindihan kung bakit ganon. May nilabag daw kami. Sinira daw namin yung bundok. Hindi naman,” Mundan said.

(I really don’t understand why this happened. They say we violated something and that we destroyed the hill. But that’s not true.)

The resort, according to Sablas, is more than just a place for people to swim and have fun. Instead it was her brother’s way to help members of the community find livelihood.

“Parang ang sakit sakit sa dibdib na meron kang ginagawa…pagkatapos 'yung kasamahan sa barangay nangangailangan ng trabaho tapos wala silang mindset na sana hindi na lang mapasara ang Captain’s Peak resort kasi kawawa naman ang mga nagtatrabaho diyan.”

(It hurts knowing that you did something to provide jobs for some people in the community. But they don’t have that mindset of wishing that the resort won’t close because those working there will lose their jobs.)

Call for fairness

Had their resort not gone viral, Sablas said, documents like the ECC would not have been scrutinized.

She urged authorities to look at other resorts which have also built structures around and on portions of the different hills.

“Sana nga tignan nila lahat kung may mas malala pa sa Captain’s Peak Resort. Meron naman siguro silang mga mata, gamitin nila ang mga mata nila, matulis na mata. Ina-accept ko na lapses namin yung ECC. Hindi namin na-comply.”

(I hope they look at others, if they’re worse than Captain’s Peak Resort. They have eyes, they should use them. I accept that the ECC was a lapse on our part. We weren’t able to comply.)

It remains unknown until when their resort will remain close.

Sablas said they will now work on acquiring that much needed ECC not only to revive their business but the source of income for their workers.