The Sangguniang Panlalawigan is mulling (SP) the creation of a management board which will take over operations supervision of the Chocolate Hills Complex amid confusion over the tourist attraction’s income and expenses.
Second District Board Member Tomas Abapo on Friday said that the proposed overseeing body will allow the provincial government to properly track finances of the government-run tourist destination.
Members of the SP aired complaints noting that until now, the provincial government lacks clear knowledge on the Chocolate Hills Complex’ finances.
Abapo, who chairs the SP committee on rules, labor and employment, said that Provincial Internal Audit Office and Provincial Treasurer’s Office have also complained that the local government of Carmen has not been regularly remitting the agreed upon 30 percent of the complex’s monthly income.
In an effort to solve the issue, the board member suggested that the proposed management board will be chaired by the governor and co-chaired by the mayor of Carmen.
Abapo’s proposal will be reviewed by the SP’s tourism committee headed by 2nd district Board Member Alexie Tutor.
The Chocolate Hills Complex is owned by the government and is run by the local government unit of Carmen as prescribed by a 1993 memorandum of agreement. (Rey Tutas)