Santa Fe orders halt to Stria development

CEBU, Philippines — Santa Fe, Bantayan, Mayor Ithamar Espinosa has formally ordered the suspension of all construction activities of the controversial Stria hotel project in Bantayan Island, following the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau’s (DENR-EMB) suspension of its Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) and a directive from Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro.

In a letter dated August 18, 2025, Espinosa informed Fifth Avenue Property Development Corp., developer of the project, that their ECC (ECC-OL-R07-2022-0417 dated December 15, 2022) has been suspended indefinitely by DENR-EMB-7 due to non-payment of a ?275,000 administrative fine and failure to address a prior notice of violation.

The order emphasized that all activities related to the project must cease immediately until full compliance is verified and the suspension is lifted by the DENR.

“Please be reminded that under the EMB Order, you are directed to immediately STOP any activity related to the project,” the letter read.

Attached to the mayor’s letter were copies of both the DENR-EMB suspension order and Baricuatro’s directive.

Espinosa noted that the suspension stemmed not only from the DENR’s findings but also from the governor's exercise of supervisory powers, which directed the Santa Fe municipal government to halt the construction of the project.

Baricuatro’s order, issued the same day, cited multiple violations, including the resort’s drastic expansion from a PAMB-approved three-story clearance to an 11-story structure, encroachment into the 20-meter salvage zone, and violation of the 10-meter height limit set for projects inside protected areas.

Baricuatro earlier warned Espinosa that failure to act on the matter may constitute “willful disobedience” under Section 60 of the Local Government Code, exposing local officials to possible administrative charges before the Department of the Interior and Local Government-7.

She further directed Espinosa to submit the project’s permits and documents within five working days, revoke any locally-issued permits lacking national clearances, and enforce environmental compliance in line with the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act.

Espinosa’s letter to the developer echoed these warnings, urging the developer to immediately settle its administrative fine with the DENR and respond to the notice of violation issued last April.

The controversy surrounding The Stria Hotel has drawn public scrutiny after reports confirmed that its construction exceeded both the PAMB clearance and DENR restrictions designed to protect Bantayan Island’s fragile ecosystem.

Baricuatro underscored in her directive that the province has a duty to enforce sustainable development and environmental protection, citing the 1987 Constitution, RA 7160 (Local Government Code), and existing environmental laws.

Quoting Presidential Decree 1067 or the Water Code of the Philippines, the governor reminded officials that no permanent structures may be built within the mandated 20-meter salvage zone along the island’s shorelines.

She also pointed out that Bantayan’s status under the NIPAS Act automatically subjects the project to stricter development rules, including the 10-meter height restriction under DENR Administrative Order 2009-09. — (FREEMAN)