Baricuatro reiterates: Sta. Fe hotel construction must stop

Local

RULE of law must be followed.

This was the reminder of Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro as reports surfaced that construction continues at a controversial luxury resort in Santa Fe, Bantayan Island, despite several stoppage orders.

“We were getting reports that construction is ongoing even after our notice. Most likely, construction continues despite my order to the mayor to stop any activities,” Baricuatro told reporters in a press conference on Wednesday, August 27.

Her remarks came a day after The Stria management formally urged regulators to lift the suspension of their Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC), insisting that the project meets all legal, environmental, and zoning requirements.

The governor raised concern over the project’s height, noting, “They must comply because their permits allow only three stories, yet the project is now at eleven.”

Baricuatro said she has not personally discussed the matter with Santa Fe Mayor Ithamar Espinosa since sending the order.

However, she said she is awaiting inspection reports from the Department of Interior and Local Government, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office.

She added that these agencies are currently conducting investigations, and their joint report will be forwarded to her and the DENR’s Protected Area Management Board.

Based on these findings, she plans to discuss the situation with Mayor Espinosa during her first State of the Provincial Address, where town and city chief executives are invited.

Governor's intervention

Earlier, Baricuatro sent a directive to Mayor Espinosa ordering the suspension of The Stria project for violating environmental laws and deviating from approved plans.

She told him to halt all construction, revoke permits without proper clearances if necessary, and submit the project’s permits within five working days while coordinating with the Environmental Management Bureau in Central Visayas (EMB 7).

Espinosa later issued his own order directing Fifth Avenue Property Development Corp. to stop work on the 11-story hotel, citing DENR’s suspension of the ECC over height violations and encroachment into the 20-meter coastal easement.

Baricuatro warned that failure to comply could be considered willful disobedience under the Local Government Code and lead to administrative proceedings through the DILG.

The Stria defends

Fifth Avenue Property Development Corp. has denied the allegations, maintaining that the project complies with all legal processes and environmental requirements.

The company also noted that the land is classified as alienable and disposable under the Bantayan Island Wilderness Area General Management Plan, which makes certain height restrictions under DAO 2009-09 advisory rather than mandatory.

The Stria management formally requested EMB 7 to lift the suspension, citing compliance with all legal, environmental, and zoning regulations.

They highlighted support from Santa Fe’s local government, referencing Municipal Ordinance No. 14-2023, which authorizes the 11-story project, and Resolution No. 83-2022, which formally endorsed it to DENR and other agencies.(MyTVCebu)