The Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Thursday credited netizens for pointing out illegal structures such as resorts in protected areas all over the country including the Chocolate Hills in Bohol and Mount Apo in Davao. 

Speaking to TeleRadyo Serbisyo, DENR Undersecretary Carlos Primo David said it is virtually impossible to check on all protected areas in the country at all times.

"We are thankful to the citizens on social media for pointing out all these structures, which are in most cases illegal, for building on protected areas," he said. 

DENR regional offices are currently conducting separate investigations on these structures in Mount Apo and Bohol.

In the interview, David said the DENR cannot order the demolition of these structures since this is the mandate of the local government and the police. 

In the case of Captain's Peak Resort in Sagbayan, Bohol, the management could face a fine of P50,000 for operating without an environmental compliance certificate. 

Another violation done by Captain's Peak: operating without a water permit, which is issued by the National Water Resources Board. 

"Lahat ng tubig sa Pilipinas, sa ulan o creek, bukal o groundwater is owned by the state. Every time you extract water for your own purposes, you need a water rights permit," David said, adding the DENR can close off the water source if it is found to be disruptive to the environment. 

David noted Captain's Peak Resort seems to have secured all necessary permits from the local government but none from national agencies. This, he said, is necessary especially if the infrastructure is built on or near a strict protected zone. 

Asked if the local government is liable for allowing the construction of Captain's Peak resort, he said: "Definitely people on the ground would have known na may ganitong proyekto."