Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

Fifteenth Congress
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House Bill No.,

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Introduced by: Rep. Erico B. Aumentado

as the crown jewels of
Philippines major tourist attractions because of the grandeur,
geological formation of the hills

million years ago — when Bot
action which explains some
The hilis are chocolate brown durin:

ERICO B. AUMEWTADO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘Therefore, approval of this measure is most respectfully urged.

The Philippine Constitution mandates that “The state shaff protect and advance the fight
of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the thythm and
harmony of nature".

The 1,268 chocolate hills in the towns of Carmen, Sagbayan and Batuan are considered
f Bohal's tourism. It is one of the wonders of the world and the
the majesty and unique

The Chocolate Hills, according to a German scientist's study, were created over three
hoi was under seawaters - by under sea currents and tidal
of the hilis perfect cone and others in haycock formation.
19 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,
uniqueness, relevance to Philippine
importance in the tourism industry as a maj
scenic value by the National Committee on Geological Sciences, the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Tourism.

scientific importance,

history and heritage, culture and development,
jor tourist attraction in the country, and high

This bill - filed in the Eleventh Congress by this representation 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 icanic hills to preserve their status as
national patrimony, natural heritage park and geological monuments.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
Fifteenth Congress

House Bill No. _ 5137

Introduced by: Rep. Erico B. 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 2012.

SECTION 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 from 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.

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.

SECTION 3: Declaration of Policy - it is hereby declared the policy of the State
to protect and preserve the Chocholate 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,
Katipunan, Ubojan, Canmaya Diot. Libertad Sur, San Vicente Sur, Libertad Norte,
Canmano, Sta. Catalina, Canmaya Centro, Kagawasan, Poblacion and San Agustin in
the Municipality of Sagbayan, Province of Bohol


SECTION 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.
rocks. soil and road materials therefrom for whatever purpose is hereby banned and
prohibited

SECTION 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; and

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

For purpose 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 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 who 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.

SECTION 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

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

SECTION 8: Repealing Clause — All laws, presidential decrees, executive
orders. rules and regulations inconsistent with any provisions of this Act shall be
deemed repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 9: Effectivity Clause — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its complete publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation

APPROVED.