THE municipality of Batuan, whose entire territory has been placed as protected area of the Chocolate Hills Natural Monument, demanded an equitable share from the revenues generated from the operation of the Chocolate Hills complex, now managed by Carmen town.
Provincial Board Member Nathaniel O. Binlod confirmed this in an interview.
“Angay ug makatarunganon lang nga ang mga BARANGAY sa Batuan ug ang LUNGSOD ( apil na ang municipal LGU ug barangay LGU sa Sagbayan, Bilar, ug tanang lungsod diin adunay Chocolate Hills) adunay share sa income sa entrance fee sa Chocolate Hills,” Vice-MayorAtty. Dodo Jumawid said in his fb post.
(It is just fair and reasonable that all barangays of Batuan, including towns of Sagbayan, Bilar should have a share of income from the entrance fee imposed).
The Provincial Government of Bohol as owner of said complex should craft policies for a “fair and just” sharing, he said.
Under the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) executed during the incumbency of then Governor David B. Tirol, the municipality of Carmen gets a share of 70% and the provincial government, 30% from net income.
The equitable share from the revenue of the complex, Jumawid said, is to give justice to the people of Choco Hills area.
He said that the innocent barangay officials are forced to be a member of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) since they have Chocolate hills in their respective areas.
“Dili fair nga iapil ang mga barangay ug lungsod sa problema, sa pagbantay sa mga hills, kasuhan ug manubag bisan sa kalapasan nga wala nila himoa, apan nahitabo sa laing lgu, UNYA ang ilang brgy ug lungsod walat apil sa benepisyo,” he said.
(It’s not fair that the barangay and the towns are included in the problem and watching protecting the hills but then they included in the cases filed against them but they’re not included in the income sharing).
It may be recalled that several barangay chieftains in Batuan and other towns whose barangays possess Choco Hills were preventively suspended for six months following the controversial Captain’s Peak resort operations in Sagbayan town without the required Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC), but was issued the mayor’s permit.
The lack of the documents made the resort failed to claim about Php100,000.00 for payment for swimming pool use during the provincial meet, the owner/manager said in earlier interview.
It was learned that the income generated from the operation, including entrance fee of Php100/person of the complex, exceeded to over Php100 million last year. But the administration of Carmen wanted it to increase to Php15-/person, but Gov. Aris Aumentado requested it be put in a status quo. (Ric Obedencio)
