Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 1723

Introduced by Rep. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippine Constitution mandates that “The state shall protect and advance the
right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and
harmony of nature”.

The 1,268 chocolate hills in the towns of Carmen, Sagbayan and Batuan are
considered as the crown jewels of Bohol’s tourism. It is one of the wonders of the world and
the Philippines major tourist attraction because of the grandeur, the majesty and unique
geological formation of the hills.

The Chocolate hills, according to a German scientist's study, were created over three
million years ago — when Bohol was under seawater — by undersea currents and tidal action
which explains some of the hills perfect cone and others in haycock formation. The hills are
chocolate brown during summer, and verdant green on rainy days. Thus, maintenance
pruning of trees shall be allowed to preserve the hills brown color during summer as the hills
unique and distinctive landmark.

President Fidel V. Ramos declared the chocolate hills as a national geological
monument by reason of its exceptional characteristics, scientific importance, uniqueness,
relevance to Philippines history and heritage, culture and development, importance in the
tourism industry as a major tourist attraction in the country, and high scenic value by the
National Committee on Geological Sciences, the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources and the Department of Tourism.

This bill — filed in the Eleventh Congress by my late father, Hon. Erico B. aumentado,
and others led by Rep. Orlando Fua, then chair of the Committee on Natural Resources —
seeks to prevent any destruction, pillage, despoil or defacement of the iconic hills to preserve
their status as national patrimony, natural heritage park and geological monuments.

Therefore, approval of this measure is most respectfully urged.

rs C. AUMENTADO
2" District - Bohol


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon city

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS.
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 1723

Introduced by Rep. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado.

AN ACT
DECLARING THE CHOCOLATE HILLS AS NATIONAL PATRIMONY NATURAL,
HERITAGE PARK AND GEOLOGICAL MONUMENTS PENALIZING THEIR PILLAGE,
DESTRUCTION AND DEFACEMENT AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title — This Act shall be known as the “Chocolate Hills
Protection Act of 2013”.

SEC. 2. Definition of Terms — For purposes of this Act, the following terms are
hereby defined as follows:

1. Pillage — means the destruction of any of the Chocolate Hills without permit from
the proper authorities concerned and the required Environmental Clearance
Certificate by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources through
quarrying or hauling therefrom of limestone, rock, soil and road surfacing
materials or for backfilling in any construction.

2. Destruction — means to ruin or devastate completely any of the Chocolate Hills
with permit duly issued by the proper authorities concerned and the
Environmental Clearance Certificate by the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources through quarrying or hauling therefrom of limestone, rocks,
soil, and road surfacing materials or for backfilling in any construction.

3. Defacement — means to mar the appearance or disfigure any of the Chocolate
Hills through any means or device with permit issued by the proper authorities
concerned.

SEC. 3. Declaration of Policy — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
protect and preserve the Chocolate Hills found in the 32 barangays in the municipalities of
Carmen, Batuan and Sagbayan, Province of Bohol, to Wit: La paz, Buenos Aires, Tamboan,
Alegria, Villaflor, Matin-ao, Calatrava, Monte Video, Nueva Vida Sur, La Victoria,
Muntisunting, Nueva Vida Este, Nueva Vida Norte and Buenavista in the municipality of
Carmen, Province of Bohol; Sta. Cruz, Aloja, Garcia and Behind the Clouds in the


Municipality of Batuan, Province of Bohol; Sta Cruz, Sagbayan Sur, Canmano, Sta. Catalina,
Canmaya Centro, Kagawasan, Poblacion and San Agustin in the Municipality of Sagbayan,
Province of Bohol.

SEC. 4. National Patrimony and Geological Monuments — The aforestated
Chocolate Hills are hereby declared as National Patrimony, Natural Heritage Park and
Geological Monuments for which quarrying or hauling of limestone, rock, soil and road
materials therefrom for whatever purpose is hereby banned and prohibited.

SEC. 5. Penalties — (a) All persons, whether natural or juridical, who violate this Act
which causes the pillage of any Chocolate Hill shall, upon conviction, be punished with an
imprisonment of 12 years and one day to 20 years and a fine of P120,000.00 to P200,000.00;

(b) All persons, whether natural or juridical who violate this Act which causes the
destruction of any Chocolate Hill shall, upon conviction, be punished with an imprisonment of
eight years, four months and one day to 12 years and a fine of P85,000.00 to P120,000.00

(©) All persons, whether natural or juridical; who violate this Act which causes the
defacement of any Chocolate Hill shall, upon convic , be punished with an imprisonment of
six years and one day to eight years and four months and fine of P60,000.00 to P84,000.00

For the purpose of this section, the President, the Chairman of Board, the General
Manager and Project Manager, in case of corporation, and the proprietor and manager, in
case of sole proprietorship, shall be held responsible for the violation committed by juridical
persons.

In any of the offenses herein-above committed, the Court may order the offender to
restore the Chocolate Hills thus pillage, destroyed or defaced; provided, however, in the
event the offender is a public official directly committed any of the offenses or conspired with
the offender in the commission of any of the offenses, the Court shall impose the accessory
penalty of perpetual disqualification to hold public office.

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (DENR) shall issue the implementing rules and regulations of this Act
within 60 days from its enactment into law.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause If any part or section of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, such declaration shall not affect the other parts or sections of this Act.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause — Alll laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules
and regulations inconsistent with any provision of this Act shall be deemed repealed or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in two (2) newspaper of general circulation or official gazette.

Approved,