BM BINLOD
In a passionate plea during a recent provincial session, Bohol Third District Board Member Nathaniel O. Binlod called for action to safeguard the natural wonder that is the Chocolate Hills.
His proposal? Uproot the trees that stubbornly cling to the hills’ bases.
Binlod’s proposal comes amidst threat of climate change that causes heatwave that kills plants and people worldwide.
Binlod’s argument is clear: these tenacious trees, while robust, detract from the iconic beauty of the Chocolate Hills.
Their presence, he contends, diminishes the unique appearance that draws visitors from far and wide.
By removing them, Binlod believes we can restore the hills to their former glory and ensure their continued allure.
However, this proposal faces an uphill battle.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has firmly rejected the idea of uprooting the trees.
Reports indicate that the DENR remains steadfast in its refusal to clear the sightlines of the Choco Hills.
Local barangay captains, part of the Protected Areas Management Board (PAMB), have also weighed in.
They advocate for cutting down the outgrowth trees, but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears at the DENR. La Paz’s captain, in particular, expressed frustration at the impasse.
Even Carmen’s Mayor, Conchita T. delos Reyes, supports Binlod’s call for action.
Yet, like the DENR, she faces resistance in her efforts to see the trees removed.
The opposing positions have led to a deadlock.
As Binlod eloquently put it, “We must thoughtfully uproot these trees that cling to the base of the Chocolate Hills. Only then can we preserve the beauty and integrity of this iconic tourist spot for future generations.”
The legal basis for such action lies in Republic Act No. 7852, which outlines the improvement and development of the Chocolate Hills.
The law aims to enhance the tourism potential of this natural wonder.
The matter now rests with the environment committee, working in coordination with the tourism committee chaired by BM Atty. Jamie Villamor and BM Tita Baja.
Despite attempts to prune or clear dead branches in the man-made forest, the trees remain.
Tragically, an unnoticed dead branch led to a fatal accident during a pre-nuptial photo shoot in the area.
As the debate rages on, the fate of the Chocolate Hills hangs in the balance.
CHOCO CONTROVERSY
The picturesque Chocolate Hills, a natural wonder that has captivated tourists for generations, now finds itself at the center of a heated debate.
The controversy revolves around the Captain’s Peak Resort, nestled within the protected area of these iconic hills.
The Protected Area Declaration
In 1997, former President Fidel V. Ramos declared the Chocolate Hills and their surroundings as a “natural monument” through Proclamation No. 1037.
These unique geological formations, found in towns like Carmen, Batuan, Sagbayan, Bilar, Valencia, and Sierra Bullones in Bohol, were placed under the jurisdiction of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Later, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo amended this proclamation, excluding “alienable and disposable flat lands” but maintaining “buffer zones” 20 meters from the base of each hill.
Captain’s Peak Resort Controversy
The recent uproar stems from the construction activities at Captain’s Peak Resort, located in Sagbayan town.
The resort’s structures encroach upon the very heart of the Chocolate Hills, raising questions about environmental responsibility and accountability.