Chocolate Hills may “disappear”

CARMEN, BOHOL, Philippines — Trees of various species have been growing along the slopes of almost 80 percent of the thousands of the world-famous Chocolate Hills, the iconic brown-image of which is now being threatened to disappear.

Mayor Francisco Ricardo Toribio of this town told The Freeman that the famed Chocolate Hills, as its distinctive color might disappear from the sights of the tourists unless immediate action is done.

The trees may eventually cover the hills and the cogon grasses that turn brown during summer, thus the hills will no longer be seen as "chocolate-colored" panorama. "If these hills are fully covered by trees they may not be called Chocolate Hills anymore," he said.

Toribio estimated that only about 20 percent of the hills may still be considered strictly as the "Chocolate Hills" by now. There are at least 1,265 hills scattered unevenly throughout the lowlands of this town and the nearby Batuan and Sagbayan.

The mayor said that, if he only had his way, he would start trimming or cutting those trees to avoid these from slowly covering the hills and the grasses. There is an agency being in charge of this tourist spot and he wondered if the local government is allowed to act instead.

The LGU's part has been limited to operate the Chocolate Hills Complex, which has a viewing deck for tourists to have a 360-degree view of the hills.

The Complex also sells foodstuffs and souvenirs to tourists, of which 70 percent of the revenues goes to the LGU and the rest to the provincial government, said Toribio.

After the magnitude 7.2 earthquake last year, the hotel in the area was damaged and had to be demolished for being unfit for occupancy, he said, adding that his administration is now doing its best to construct a new one.

Toribio admitted that tourist arrivals at the Complex had declined considerably right after the tremor, but it has gradually recovering now. An average of 700 visitors come here during weekdays and about 1,500 on weekends, still below the pre-quake average of 2,000 visitors, he added.  (FREEMAN)