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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Aumentado to ask DOJ for more time to address violations

Aumentado to ask DOJ for more time to address violations

Published Oct 23, 2025 09:47 pm
AUMENTADO (FB)
AUMENTADO (FB)
CEBU CITY – Bohol Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado has assured local officials and establishment owners within the Chocolate Hills Natural Monument (CHNM) area that he will appeal to the Department of Justice (DOJ) to give them sufficient time to comply with the requirements and address the issues cited in the Notices of Violation (NOV) issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Speaking during the CHNM Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) Special Meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 22, Aumentado acknowledged the challenges faced by residents, business owners, and barangay officials who were affected by the enforcement of environmental laws under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (E-NIPAS) Act.
“This is a very big challenge to us. And even us officials, we will suffer from this,” the governor said. “We will send a letter to the OIC (of DOJ) for a meeting and we will give them advance info as to what really are sentiments here in Bohol about this case that we may be facing,” he added.
Aumentado disclosed that he has reached out to key officials, including the House Committee on Environment, to help facilitate discussions with the DOJ.
As per data from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of the DENR, there are over 400 establishments in the towns of Carmen, Sagbayan, Batuan, and Bilar that have received NOVs from the DENR for operating within the protected area without Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECCs).
The governor explained that while many affected individuals have already submitted their compliance documents and applications for ECCs, they have yet to receive any response from the DENR. He added that these people are just trying to survive and earn their livelihood.
Aumentado also expressed his concern about the rigid enforcement of the E-NIPAS law, without clear definitions and proper consultation. This has caused confusion and hardship for long-time residents and landowners who have been living in the area even before it was declared a protected site.
Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Handel Lagunay, who accompanied the governor during the meeting, said that the provincial government is now working with Bohol’s district representatives in pushing for amendments to the E-NIPAS law, specifically on exemptions.
“We will bring this up to the DOJ, that this is also what we are doing, for them to take into consideration these things before they will do anything regarding the case,” Lagunay said.
He added that consultations are being conducted to clarify boundaries and ensure fairness to affected residents, while maintaining environmental protection efforts.
“This is a lesson learned. We were suspended because of this. Several barangay captains were suspended. That's why we have to balance everything and look for solutions," Aumentado said.

Related Tags

Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado Chocolate Hills DOJ DENR
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