Senator Cynthia Villar Gov. Aris Aumentado
By DAVE SUAN ALBARADO
In a recent Senate investigation, Senator Cynthia Villar has sharply criticized Bohol Governor Aris Aumentado regarding the legislation for the Chocolate Hills.
Villar, in a live-streamed hearing, reminded the Filipino nation that the bill to declare the Chocolate Hills a protected area had already been passed during the 17th Congress, emphasizing that it was Aris Aumentado’s bill, not hers.
The bill in question was initially introduced by Aumentado’s late father, Erico Aumentado, who served as the congressman for the second district, and was later refiled by Aris Aumentado himself.
Despite their efforts, neither was able to see the bill become law during their respective terms.
Critics note that both versions of the bill lacked provisions to address the socio-economic impact on the region.
The Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (E-NIPAS) Act, enacted in 2018, included contributions from various bills concerning protected areas across the country, which led to the inclusion of the Chocolate Hills in the list of protected areas.
Aris Aumentado supported the E-NIPAS in the House, which ultimately recognized the Chocolate Hills as protected.
Stakeholder consultation is a critical step in the legislative process, especially for bills that have social or economic implications for protected areas.
However, the bill filed by Aris Aumentado was reportedly identical to that of his father’s, raising concerns about the relevance of the legislation to the current conditions and issues.
Aris Aumentado has a direct interest in the matter, as the Chocolate Hills in Sagbayan fall within the congressional district he once represented, the same district overseen by his father.
The Aumentado family has been allegedly associated with business owners of the resort, with Aris accompanying his father during his tenure as governor when Sagbayan Peak was developed, altering the landscape of the Chocolate Hills.
The issue of quarrying by Suarez construction, permitted by the late Governor David Tirol and later halted by Governor Rene Relampagos, also ties back to Aumentado family’s political clout.
In 1997, President Fidel Ramos declared the Chocolate Hills a national geological monument, further cementing their significance.
SENATE HEARING
In a heated Senate hearing, Senator Cynthia Villar and Governor Aris exchanged sharp words over the legislation declaring Chocolate Hills as a Protected Area.
Governor Aris criticized the law for not considering the landowners in the towns of Sagbayan, Carmen, and Batuan, which are included in the Protected Area.
He argued that the law should be amended as it does not benefit the people of Bohol.
Senator Villar responded assertively, reminding the Governor that he was responsible for creating the law during his time as a Congressman for the Second District.
Senator Villar pointed out that she merely sponsored the law in the Senate after it passed the House of Representatives.
Senator Villar emphasized that if the land in the Chocolate Hills region cannot be utilized by the people due to its status as a protected area, the blame should fall on the Governor, as it was his (Aris) legislation.
IN SEARCH FOR TRUTH
At the recent senate hearing, Bohol Governor Aris Aumentado addressed the pressing issues surrounding the development of the Chocolate Hills, a renowned tourist attraction and a protected landscape.
The governor called for a thorough investigation into the construction and operation of a resort within the protected area.
“We want to find the truth,” Aumentado declared, signaling his determination to resolve the controversy.
He also demanded accountability from local officials, stating, “I wanted the local officials to fully give us the background and as to what actions have been taken.”
The governor’s remarks come amid concerns over the environmental impact of illegal structures and the need to balance conservation efforts with the livelihoods of local communities. Aumentado’s commitment to transparency and responsible stewardship of Bohol’s natural resources was evident throughout the hearing.
SPEECH AT SENATE
During the Senate committee hearing on April 3, Governor Aumentado addressed the environmental and social issues surrounding the Chocolate Hills.
He emphasized the provincial government’s commitment to preserving the natural wonders of Bohol for future generations.
Aumentado highlighted the importance of not overlooking the needs and rights of the people living within the protected areas, whose livelihoods depend on the land.
He also mentioned the recent controversy involving illegal structures in the protected area and the closure of two establishments for lacking necessary permits.
Aumentado pointed out that while Bohol has been a tourist destination even before its designation as a Global Geopark by UNESCO, this status provides an added advantage in the world tourism industry.
The governor concluded by stressing the challenge of protecting the environment while nurturing the social fabric of the communities, ensuring inclusive growth that benefits not only the tourism industry but also the local small and medium entrepreneurs.
SENATE HEARING IN BOHOL
In a move to address the controversy surrounding the construction of resort facilities at the base of the iconic Chocolate Hills, the House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources is considering convening in Bohol.
This follows an informal session held on April 1, 2024, which lacked the quorum necessary for official proceedings.
The committee’s senior vice chairman, Rep. Jose Alvarez, has proposed a gathering of stakeholders, including local officials, resort owners, and environmental authorities, to discuss the situation in Sagbayan town, where the development has taken place.
The informal briefing in Manila was attended by a host of provincial dignitaries, including Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado and Cong. Maria Vanessa Aumentado, alongside legal and environmental representatives.
The potential meeting, as suggested by Rep. Alvarez, aims to craft legislation that would rectify any deficiencies in the National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) law, rather than assigning blame for the construction at Captain’s Peak Garden and Resort.
Meanwhile, environmental lawyer Esther Gertrude Biliran has highlighted the lack of clear management guidelines within the current Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) resolution, underscoring the need for clearer governance of such environmentally sensitive regions.