Let's face it, we have not treated the Chocolate Hills royally.

We mean, let's be frank and state that such a nature "jewel" that is often foisted among the world's natural wide-eyed wonders has not been given its due. We mean the Carmen Beauty is flanked by a restaurant whose cuisine can be beaten by most metropolitan building canteens and a hostel that is worse than some pension houses in the DOT list. We mean smelling urinals and narrow, dangerous roads. It's been a crying shame.

At least, the first step in addressing these eyebrow-raising ironies has been taken by the Bohol Sangguniang Panlalawigan chaired by the incumbent Vice-Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera. That step is for the Provincial Government to take over the management and operations of the Chocolate Hills Complex before going privatization, as a final journey.

The Carmen municipal government is not in the league of running world-class entities as the Chocolate Complex. Some town officials there will rage against the move but step aside sirs, you have been given enough time to prove your managerial acumen. You have been weighed and found wanting. Every tourist and his uncle has a gripe to say about the Hotel Complex while we spend millions in our foreign reserves to tell the world: Come visit the Hills.

Insiders claim there is lack of transparency in financial matters on the complex to the detriment of tourists' interest and the chagrin of our tour industry players and the Department of Tourism as well.

Enough is enough.

We credit the political will of the SP and some Capitol officials who have ignored the political consequences of such a move in favor of the higher interest of the province and Boholanos in general.

But we postulate that "less government" is still better. And the Provincial Capitol will be better off handing over the eventual control of the Chocolate Hills Complex to the private sector. Government always has the natural handicap of budgetary constraints, civil service rules and lack of continuity.

Indeed how can a forward planning of the Complex be realistically pursued when the government is always hounded by cash deficits? How can it hire the best minds with its tight "salary limits?" How can it execute long-term plans with local elections held every three years which could lead to changes in the officialdom manning the complex?

The Capitol in cooperation with the Provincial Tourism Council should now map up a strategy and timetable for the eventual privatization. A government-run tourist unit (even under the Philippine Tourism Authority) can not match the exemplary management style and capitalist fervor of for instance a Shnarila Hotel or Plantacion Bay or the property skills of the owners of the Panglao Nature Island Resort and the Bohol Beach Club.

The Provincial Government, in statesman like humility, must realize the limits of its capability in running diverse affairs. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Take over the Choco Complex and the privatize.

SAVE PANGLAO ISLAND

In all fairness, Panglao Mayor Doloreich Dumaluan, a resort operator himself, slammed his iron fist on boat operators mooring their boats near the shoreline of the Alona Beach area. For not only are swimmers deprived of aquatic space to frolic and have fun, but these boats can cause accidents and generate unhealthy oil spill.

The mayor told them to "Get Lost" as soon as the sun sets, three days after the Chronicle front-pager. Before, there is such an ordinance in Panglao that really prohibits boats from mooring at certain reasonable distances in order for swimmers to enjoy that piece of paradise. It turns out, it seems that the sponsor of that ordinance himself is a chief lawmaker where his boats are at the watery doorsteps of the Alona Beach Resorts. Too close for comfort.

Mayor Dumaluan, you've got your job cut out for you! Because, further, you should also discipline the untrained boat operators from harming uselessly the dolphins prowling in the Pamilacan area, which sea creatures have become a magical source of amazement for many a visitor.

The problem with us sometimes is that we often take Nature's Gifts for granted - just because they are there. But they won't be there forever if we don't watch out. We haven't fully grasped the treasure of Panglao Island that is already in our hands.

Do you, for instance, know that Panglao is the "core of bio-diversity" of Southeast Asia, who together with Indonesia and Papua New Guinea is called by marine scientists as part of the "Golden Triangle." Because here in, there are more species of corals, sponges, fish and invertebrates at sea than in any other part of the world.

Panglao has 1,200 known species of crabs and shrimps, a phenomenal number that even almost equals all of Japan's total of 1,600 species. Panglao has the most number of species of mollusks in excess of 5,000 even. These are the things we must preserve including the coral reefs which are the feeding ground of marine life.

Many organizations are working for marine life preservation of Panglao - it's a shame that some island inhabitants become part of the problem.