lands, the Chocolate Hills are seen as quarrying assets and source of income for small-scale miners, as well as quarry materials for the province's construction projects. The challenge is how the national and local officials can harmonize the current needs of small-scale miners, the construction sector and the tourism sector with the preservation of the Chocolate Hills. Even with their protected status, mining permits continue to be granted by DENR and local government units. Hence, mining and quarrying are still taking place. Because of this, the provincial government of Bohol has requested jurisdiction over the Chocolate Hills from the DENR. Meanwhile, the provincial government has suggested that the legislation defining the Natural Monument should be changed, which will require that the proclamation be redrafted and ratified by both the Philippine House and Senate. This is a cumbersome and costly process, on which no progress has been made to date. Future development and investment challenges within the Chocolate Hills area include: obtaining the national government's sanction for the project; persuading landowners to sell; convincing the Protected Areas Management Board, which has jurisdiction over the hills, not to use its veto power over any investment requiring physical facilities. 2013 Bohol earthquake One of the largest earthquakes to hit Bohol struck the island at 8:12 AM on October 15, 2013. The center of the M7.2 earthquake was near Sagbayan, Bohol. Due to the earthquake, a portion of one of the hills gave way and the Chocolate Hills' viewing deck was destroyed. Restoration The local government proposed a 200 million pesos funding for the repair work, and restored the viewing deck and the surrounding facilitaties, including the pathways, parking space, water features, trellis, stairs, ramps, food court, museum, activity center, lamp posts, signages and landscaping works. See also List of protected areas of the Philippines Breast-shaped hill Kegelkarst References External links UNESCO World Heritage: Chocolate Hills Natural Monument Articles Chocolate Hills Chocolate hills travel information The Chocolate Hills "Guv issues orders to protect Choco Hills, aid brgy workers", Bohol Sunday Post, 06/11/06 House Bill 001147 Landforms of Bohol Hills of the Philippines National geological monuments of the Philippines Visayan landmarks Natural monuments of the Philippines Tourist attractions in Bohol World Heritage Tentative List for the Philippines