A new bill filed in the House of Representatives seeks to amend the law governing the management and protection of the Chocolate Hills in Bohol.
House Bill No. 10438, introduced by Reps. Edgar Chatto, Maria Vanessa Aumentado, Kristine Alexie Tutor, and Jose Alvarez, propose expanding the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) to include various stakeholders such as the Department of Tourism, the National Museum, and local representatives.
The bill was prompted by the unauthorized construction of the Captain’s Peak resort in Sagbayan. It aims to balance development with conservation by allowing small-scale agricultural activities while enhancing oversight and management of the protected area.
If passed, the bill will amend the National Integrated Protected Areas System law and the expanded NIPAS Act, which govern the Chocolate Hills, a key feature of Bohol’s global geopark designation.
Source: PhilNews24 | June 1, 2024
