Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

6568

House Bill No.’

Introduced by Representative John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘As a manifestation of support to this timely piece of legislation, this
representation respectfully refiles this bill, which has constantly been receiving
‘support from the past and present (HB 4058, introduced by Representative Erico
Aristotle C. Aumentado) congress.

Article Il, Section 16 of the 1987 Constitution provides 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 Chocolate Hills in the town of Carmen, Sagbayan and Batuan are
considered as the crown jewels of Bohol's tourism. It is recognized as one of the
wonders of the world and also one of the country’s major tourist attractions.
Despite the various attempt to protect and preserve this national treasure, much
more needs to be done.

This piece of legislation aims to strengthen the effort to protect and preserve the
Chocolate Hills’ status as a national patrimony, heritage park, and geological
monument by seeking to prevent the destruction, pillage, and defacement of the
aforementioned area.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

Joh; ‘in ful Servo” Nieto


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

6568

House Bill No.

De

Introduced by Representative John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto

AN ACT
PROCLAIMING THE CHOCOLATE HILLS AS NATIONAL PATRIMONY AND
GEOLOGICAL MONUMENTS, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR THEIR
PILLAGE, DEFACEMENT AND DESPOIL, 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 2017.

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 Environment Clearance Certificate from the Department
of Environment and Natural Resources through quarrying or
hauling therefrom of limestones, rocks, soil and road surfacing
materials or for backfilling in any construction.

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

3. Despoil — 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 of the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources through
quarrying or hauling therefrom of limestone, rocks, soil and
roads surfacing materials or for backfilling in any construction.

SEC. 3. Declaration of Policy — It is hereby the 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, Manti-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, Sagbayan Sur, Katipunan, Ubojan, Canmaya Diot, Libertad Sur, San
Vicente Sur, Libertad Norte, Camano, Sta. Catalina, Canmaya Centro,
Kagawasan, Poblacion and San Agustin in the Municipality of Sagbayan,
Province of Bohol.

SEC. 4. National Patrimony and Geological Monument — The aforesaid
Chocolate Hills are hereby declared as National Patrimony and Geological
Monuments for which quarrying or hauling of limestones, rocks, soil and road
materials for whatever purpose is hereby banned and prohibited.

SEC. 5. Penalties. (a) All persons, whether natural or judicial, who violates this
‘Act which causes the pillage of any Chocolate Hills shall, upon conviction, be
punished with an imprisonment of eight (8) years, four (4) months and one (1)
day to twelve (12) years and a fine of P85,000.00 to P120,000.00; and;

(b) All persons, whether natural or judicial who will violate this Act which
causes the destruction of any Chocolate Hills shall, upon conviction, be punished
with an imprisonment of eight (8) years, four (4) months, and twelve (12) years
and a fine of P85,000.00 to P120,000.00 and;

(c) All persons, whether natural or judicial, who will violate this Act which
causes the defacement of Chocolate Hills shall, upon conviction, be punished
with an imprisonment of six (6) years and one (1) day to eight (8) years and four
(4) months and a fine of P60,000 to P84,000.

For purposes of this Section, the President, the Chairman of the 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 judicial persons.

In any of the offense herein-above committed, the Court may order the offender
to restore the Chocolate Hills thus plundered, destroyed or defaced: Provided,
however, That in the event the offender or offenders in the commission of any of
the offenses of the Court shall impose the accessory penalty of perpetual
disqualification to hold public office.

SEC. 6. 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. 7. Repealing Clause. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
rules and regulations inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act shall be
deemed repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 8. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,