Chocolate Hills resort construction dismays Anne Curtis

Anne Curtis sad about resort construction in Chocolate Hills | Images: Instagram, @annecurtissmith/Facebook, @rentheadventurer

Anne Curtis has joined the conversation on the much-criticized construction of the Chocolate Hills resort, located right within Bohol’s protected area and most popular scenic spot.

On her X account, Curtis reshared a one-minute clip showing the special features of the resort which was sitting smack in the midst of the famous Chocolate Hills, a geological formation of over 1,700 rolling hills that earned it a recognition from UNESCO as its third National Geological Monument.

Curtis is an ambassadress of UNICEF, another United Nations body.

“Is this true kaya? Sad naman if they are allowing this so close to the beautiful natural wonders of our country [crying emoji],” she remarked. (Is this true? It’s sad if they are allowing this so close to the beautiful natural wonders of our country.)

Is this true kaya? Sad naman if they are allowing this so close to the beautiful natural wonders of our country 😭 https://t.co/ITucIPrXll

— Anne Curtis-Smith (@annecurtissmith) March 13, 2024

The “It’s Showtime” host likewise agreed with Senator Nancy Binay that government officials such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and its attached agencies, as well as the Bohol government should be held accountable for allowing the construction of the resort and for it to operate.  

A drone video of the Chocolate Hills resort became viral when it was posted by a vlogger who goes by the name Ren The Adventurer, showing the features of the Captain’s Peak Resort in Sagbayan town and Bud Agta in Carmen, Bohol.

For an entrance fee of P110 for adults and P75 for kids, one may already take a dip in their adult and kiddie pools or take the U-shaped water slide looped on the side of a hill. The pool offered a pop of blue against the vast grass-colored mounds. The resort likewise boasts of cottages for P300 and up to P2000 for those who wanted to rent a room overnight.

Soon after, the video became viral with netizens calling out the Bohol government for allowing the defilement of a  national protected site.

Atty. Chel Diokno asked on X how the resort owners was able to obtain clearance to construct the establishment.

Paano to nabigyan ng clearance at bakit pinayagang magpatuloy? Sana aksyunan ng DENR ang panawagan ng mga kababayan nating Boholanos na protektahan ang Chocolate Hills, na isa sa mga tanyag na tourist spot sa bansa at kilala bilang kauna-unahang UNESCO global geopark sa Pilipinas https://t.co/cd7D1oCsnM

— Chel Diokno (@ChelDiokno) March 13, 2024

“Paano pinayagan magpatayo ng isang resort sa gitna ng Chocolate Hills sa Bohol? Hindi ba ma-didisturb ang ecosystem ng paligid? Pwedeng magkaroon ng mga soil erosion and baka masira ang mga hill formations within the vicinity of the resort?” argued X user pauloMDtweets

Paano pinayagan magpatayo ng isang resort sa gitna ng Chocolate Hills sa Bohol? Hindi ba ma-didisturb ang ecosystem ng paligid? Pwedeng magkaroon ng mga soil erosion and baka masira ang mga hill formations within the vicinity of the resort? 🤔

©️ ren the adventurer (fb) pic.twitter.com/ACFniLUKyM

— @pauloinmanila and 99 others (@pauloMDtweets) March 13, 2024

(How could government allow a resort to be built in the middle of the Chocolate Hills in Bohol? Won’t the surrounding ecosystem not be disturbed? Wouldn’t there be soil erosion, and the hill formations within the vicinity of the resort might be damaged?)

“The ugliest resort in one of the most beautiful PH destinations. Who the F owns this?!? Who allowed this?!? So evil,” remarked another netizen. 

the ugliest resort in one of the most beautiful ph destination. who the F owns this?!? who allowed this?!? so evvvil.

— a cat out of the bag (@acatoutofthebag) March 13, 2024

The DENR said that it had already issued a temporary closure order and a notice of violation against the now-viral 

Under Proclamation No. 1037, the Chocolate Hills of Bohol is a National Geological Monument with regards to its scientific importance and high scenic value, making it one of the country’s most protected areas.