Tagbilaran Bishop Alberto Uy on Chocolate Hills: “We should strive to appreciate and preserve these treasures”
CHOCOLATE HILLS – Tagbilaran Bishop Alberto Uy called for the protection of the UNESCO Heritage Site in Bohol.
Earlier, there was a public outcry when it was discovered that a resort had been built near the Chocolate Hills in Sagbayan, which led to widespread criticism. Subsequently, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) began looking into whether the resort had followed the rules of a temporary closure order issued in September 2023.
The manager of the resort admitted that they hadn’t obtained an Environmental Compliance Certificate but had received approval from the Protected Areas Management Bureau. She also showed the land title for the resort, which had been granted a year before the Chocolate Hills were declared a protected area in 1997.
The local government of Sagbayan explained that they couldn’t close the resort earlier because they hadn’t received the closure order from the DENR. Finally, on March 14, the town mayor canceled the resort’s business permit. The House of Representatives started investigating the resort’s operations, with Congressman Erwin Tulfo describing it as an eyesore and a “wart”.
Amid the issue, Tagbilaran Bishop Alberto Uy called for the protection of the UNESCO Heritage Site in Bohol. “We should strive to appreciate and preserve these treasures that make our province truly special,” Uy said in a statement released by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) last Thursday.
The 57-year-old bishop said it is important for Boholanos to recognize and value the landmarks of the city. “Together, we can make a meaningful impact and ensure a harmonious coexistence with nature,” he said.
Meanwhile, The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) plans to probe Bohol Province officials due to the existence of two other resorts within the Chocolate Hills area namely Sagbayan Peak in Sagbayan town and Bud Agta in Carmen town.
