DENR wants Chocolate Hills resort closed

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) yesterday ordered the implementation of a temporary closure order earlier issued against a resort at the Chocolate Hills in Bohol amid viral social media posts of a swimming pool built right at the foot of the declared National Geological Monument.

- BELLA CARIASO

“In the case of the Captain’s Peak Resort, the DENR issued a Temporary Closure Order last Sept. 6, 2023 and a Notice of Violation to the project proponent last Jan. 22 for operating without an environmental compliance certificate (ECC),” the DENR said.

The DENR added that Region 7 executive director Paquito Melicor issued yesterday a memorandum to Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office-Bohol’s Ariel Rica to form a team to check on the compliance of Captain’s Peak Resort with the temporary closure order.

The team has been directed to conduct an inspection to ensure that the resort remains closed, the department said.

“The DENR Environmental Management Bureau will continue to monitor,” it added.

The viral video showed a huge swimming pool and cottages at the foot of Chocolate Hills, which is causing a stir on social media.