The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) admitted they had been aware of the resort built in the iconic Chocolate Hills in Bohol since last year.
In an official statement, DENR said that Captain’s Peak was supposed to be closed as they had already issued a Temporary Closure Order last September 6, 2023.
“In the case of the Captain’s Peak Resort, the DENR issued a Temporary Closure Order last September 6, 2023, and a Notice of Violation to the project proponent last January 22, 2024, for operating without an ECC,” DENR wrote.
“As of March 13, 2024, the Regional Executive Director Paquito D. Melicor issued a Memorandum directing PENRO Bohol Ariel Rica to create a team to conduct an inspection at Captain’s Peak for its compliance with the Temporary Closure Order,” they added.
According to DENR, Chocolate Hills was declared a protected area on July 1, 1997, under the administration of then President Fidel V. Ramos to preserve the landscape of the tourist spot.
However, they said that if the lot where Captain’s Peak was built was already privately owned before July 1, 1997, the “rights and interest of the landowner will be generally be recognized and respected”, but may “impose certain regulations or restriction of the land use and development within the protected area,”
In a video posted last March 6 by Ren The Adventurer, the said resort was still operating as of writing.