The owner of the controversial resort built in Chocolate Hills narrated how they started to build the infrastructure on what they called ‘private land.’
In an interview last year by The Freeman, Julieta Sablas, the administrator and the sister of the owner of Captain’s Peak Resort said they bought the land in 2005.
According to them, they’re not planning to build a resort in Chocolate Hills.
They said that owning land in a protected area is not easy despite being envied by many.
“It’s very stressful. They are like this, this, you are very lucky to have this, protected area. Nah, the most troublesome! Your projects, if you have a proposal, you still have to present it to them,” Sables said in Cebuano.
When tried to interview by the media last year, the Mayor where the resort was built refused to speak on the said issue.
They also said that before building the resort, they ensured that they complied with the Protected Areas Management Board (PAMB) for every requirement needed.
However, they admitted that some parts of the hill were developed while the resort was being built.
Some parts of the UNESCO Heritage Site were also excavated for the access road project.
In another interview, Sablas insisted that they didn’t damage the area.
“Sila lang po ang nagsasabi na nakakasira, pero kapag nandito po kayo sa area namin, talagang hindi po eh,” she said.
“Sana patas, patas ‘yung gagawin nilang imbestigasyon. Hindi lang po Captain’s Peak Resort,” she added.