Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2111

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 town of Carmen, Sagbayan and Batuan are considered as
the crown jewels of Bohol’s tourism. It 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- 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
Philippine 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 has been approved by the Committee on Ecology in the 16" and 17 Congress
and seeks to prevent the 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 urge.

ERICO ARISTOTLE C. AUMENTADO.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. e141

Introduced by Honorable 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 the 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 2016.”

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 required Environmental Clearance Certificate by the Department
of Natural Resources through quarrying or hauling therefrom of limestone, rock, soil, and
road surfacing materials or 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, CAnmayo 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 judicial, who violate this Act which
causes of the pillage of any Chocolate Hills shall, upon conviction, be punished with an
imprisonment of 12 years, four months and 1 day to 20 years and fine of P60,000.00 to
P120,000.00

(b) All persons, whether natural or judicial 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 fine of P85,000.00 to P120,000.00.

(c ) All persons, whether natural or judicial; who violate this Act which causes the
defacement of any Chocolate Hills, shall, upon conviction, be punished with an imprisonment of
six years and one day to eight years and four months and fine of P60,000.00 to 84,000.00

For the purpose of this section, the President, the Chairman of the Board, the General
Manager and Project Manager, in case of corporation, and 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 ~ All 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 of official gazette

Approved,