Who's to blame for the construction of a swimming pool and resort at the famous Chocolate Hills of Bohol? Government agencies involved are pointing fingers, according to Senate tourism chair Nancy Binay.

In a statement, Binay said there have been several reports about the closure of Captain’s Peak Resort after a video of its swimming pool at the foot of the Chocolate Hills in the town of Sagbayan, Bohol went viral. 

"Walang gustong umako ng kasalanan, at medyo nagtuturuan na at naghuhugas ng kamay ang mga ahensyang directly involved in allowing the construction of a resort at Chocolate Hills," she said.

She said that based on documents, the management of Captain's Peak had already started the paperwork for the eventual construction of the resort way back in 2018 even before the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Kaya nagtataka tayo kung bakit sa loob ng anim na taon ay nailusot ang mga permits at tinuloy ang construction, which should not have been allowed in the first place," she said. 

The senator said local authorities and environment officials should have started regular inspections of the resort the minute construction started. 

She said the local government of Sagbayan admitted the Department of Environment and Natural Resources only advised Captain's Peak Resort to undergo voluntary temporary closure. 

"So, makikita nating malamya ang enforcement at yung term na 'voluntary closure' means 'optional', ibig sabihin the resort has a choice not to stop its operations," she said. 

She added: "The temporary closure does not remedy anything or reverse damages done to the environment. It is very clear that there were infractions and willful violations of law in all levels. The extent of environmental degradation is simply unacceptable--hindi pwedeng walang accountable dito."

Binay said she has filed a resolution asking the Senate committee on the environment, natural resources and climate change chaired by Sen. Cynthia Villar to investigate the resort. 

One thing the committee could look into, she said, is if the environment department or the province has a land use plan of the Chocolate Hills, considering that UNESCO recently designated Bohol province as a global geopark. 

This, after the Captain's Peak Resort management presented a transfer certificate of title and other documents proving that the area where the resort is located is privately owned. The management, however, admitted it did not secure an environment compliance certificate. 

Manager of controversial Chocolate Hills resort admits not being able to acquire environment certificate

"Kahit may titulo sila, kung ‘yung intent ba nilang structure ay pasok dun sa environmental clearance na kailangang kunin sa DENR…Ang sa akin napaka-eyesore nang hitsura. Ang sakit sa bangs…Para sa akin, dapat siyang buwagin," Binay said in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview. 

"Is it high time na magkaroon ng pondo ‘yung pamahalaan para itong mga titled lots ay bibilhin ng government para hindi siya ma-develop for whatever? 

"Nakakaawa din yung may-ari kasi nag invest siya ng malaki para dun sa property. Malaki din naman ‘yung nagastos. It’s his property pero dapat ‘yung government agencies should have said right from the start, hindi pwede," she added. 

For his part, geologist Dr. Mahar Lagmay said he will not delve into the legal issues surrounding the ownership of Captain's Peak resort but noted the construction will have an impact on the environment. 

"Mas aesthetic ang pananaw ko dito. Meron tayong napakaganda na bagay na Chocolate Hills... Pag tinignan mo 'yan, makiklita mo puro burol na inukit ng panahon over a period of 150 million years tapos lalagyan mo ng resort," he said in a separate interview.  

"Para kang may waterfalls...Tapos lalagyan mo ng bahay na may trapal. Masisira 'yung aesthetic value niya."