The Bago City government has taken action on complaints against mountain resorts in the city to ensure compliance with environmental laws, Vicente “Jurivic” Mesias, City Environment Management Officer, said on Wednesday, Oct. 15.
This includes the creation of a task force and the conduct of coordination meetings.
Mesias said Almana Development Corporation has stopped its development activities at Mailum Falls Dreamland Resort.
They were recently issued a Notice of Violation by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) for development activities that were not covered by the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) issued to them.
The city received a separate complaint against Almana Development Corporation from the Pataan Irrigator’s Association and the Mailum Bukidnon Tribe.
Mesias said the city’s Office of the Building Official issued a notice of violation to Almana for not having a building permit and all ongoing construction without a permit is being stopped.
The Balaan Hills EcoPark located in Mailum was also issued a notice of violation by the EMB for its failure to obtain an ECC and other violations.
Mesias said they will ensure the compliance of the resort owned by Leo Nikko Delfinado.
They will be reminded, Mesias said.
The management of Balaan Hills assured compliance in a statement they issued to the media earlier.
Aside from the two resorts, it was also discovered that the Buenos Aires Mountain resort, which is city government-owned and operated, has also failed to secure an ECC and other EMB-issued permits since its operation several decades ago.
Under the administration of Mayor Marina Javellana-Yao based on the advisory issued, the resort will voluntarily stop operating until these permits are complied with.
Aside from coordination meetings with various stakeholders, the Bago City Task Force on Environmental Compliance and Tourism Area Development was established to ensure compliance and promote an ecologically sound and culturally vibrant tourism destination.*