Stricter policies eyed to prevent another 'Chocolate Hills resort' | ABS-CBN
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Stricter policies eyed to prevent another 'Chocolate Hills resort'
Stricter policies eyed to prevent another 'Chocolate Hills resort'
Dennis Gasgonia,
ABS-CBN News
Published Mar 22, 2024 10:32 PM PHT
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Updated Mar 22, 2024 10:57 PM PHT
Screengrab image from a drone video of the Captain’s Peak resort at the foot of Chocolate Hills in Sagbayan, Bohol, shot on March 14, 2024, after netizens questioned its location in a protected area. Froilan Billiones, ABS-CBN News
Screengrab image from a drone video of the Captain’s Peak resort at the foot of Chocolate Hills in Sagbayan, Bohol, shot on March 14, 2024, after netizens questioned its location in a protected area. Froilan Billiones, ABS-CBN News The government has vowed to identify and address gaps in policies and practices to prevent future cases similar to the controversial resort built at the foot of Chocolate Hills in Sagbayan, Bohol.
The government has vowed to identify and address gaps in policies and practices to prevent future cases similar to the controversial resort built at the foot of Chocolate Hills in Sagbayan, Bohol.
The Captain's Resort built inside a protected area created an uproar when a video promoting the "tourist spot" went viral on social media, prompting concerned agencies to order its closure.
The Captain's Resort built inside a protected area created an uproar when a video promoting the "tourist spot" went viral on social media, prompting concerned agencies to order its closure.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Tourism and Department of the Interior and Local Government are coordinating to enhance regulation and monitoring to avoid a repeat of such case.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Tourism and Department of the Interior and Local Government are coordinating to enhance regulation and monitoring to avoid a repeat of such case.
"Achieving this starts with identifying the gaps in historical policies and practices and developing a comprehensive and balanced approach at both national and local levels of government," the agencies said in a joint statement released on Friday.
"Achieving this starts with identifying the gaps in historical policies and practices and developing a comprehensive and balanced approach at both national and local levels of government," the agencies said in a joint statement released on Friday.
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"This includes strengthening regulations and monitoring mechanisms, rationalizing land use classification, and enforcing evidence-informed environmental protection according to global environmental standards, while also considering the communities’ needs for livelihood and employment."
"This includes strengthening regulations and monitoring mechanisms, rationalizing land use classification, and enforcing evidence-informed environmental protection according to global environmental standards, while also considering the communities’ needs for livelihood and employment."
The statement was jointly released by DENR secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, DOT Secretary Christina Frasco, and DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos.
The statement was jointly released by DENR secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, DOT Secretary Christina Frasco, and DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos.
The concerned agencies also said that full compliance of permits and the necessary documentation will be required from business owners planning to set up establishment in said area.
The concerned agencies also said that full compliance of permits and the necessary documentation will be required from business owners planning to set up establishment in said area.
In the case of the Captain's Peak Resort, it was able to operate despite the lack an Environment Compliance Certificate (ECC).
In the case of the Captain's Peak Resort, it was able to operate despite the lack an Environment Compliance Certificate (ECC).
"The Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) resolution allowing development in a protected area does not omit the necessity of obtaining an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC), as this is required by law," said the agencies.
"The Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) resolution allowing development in a protected area does not omit the necessity of obtaining an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC), as this is required by law," said the agencies.
They also plan to balance and streamline the representation of bodies governing such establishments.
They also plan to balance and streamline the representation of bodies governing such establishments.
"This would include representatives of the relevant national government agencies, scientific experts, expert practitioners, tourism planning officers, the academe, and non-government organizations who actively promote sustainable practices, community engagement, and alignment of tourism development with environmental goals," said the agencies.
"This would include representatives of the relevant national government agencies, scientific experts, expert practitioners, tourism planning officers, the academe, and non-government organizations who actively promote sustainable practices, community engagement, and alignment of tourism development with environmental goals," said the agencies.
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