A RESORT in Santa Fe, Bantayan Island, has constructed 11 floors despite its environmental compliance certificate allowing only three. This was confirmed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) 7 on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025.
It was also built in a protected zone that was declared under Proclamation 2151 on Dec. 29, 1981.
DENR-EMB 7 representatives met with Gov. Pamela Baricuatro the same day to discuss the structure, which also exceeds the 10-meter height limit for buildings in protected areas under DENR Administrative Order 2009-09.
The development in question is The Stria, a multi-story resort and residential project near Kota Beach. Social media users have criticized the building’s construction, citing environmental, legal and community impacts.
The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office has issued several notices of violation against the developer. These were “cease and refrain” orders directing the resort to halt activities that could cause environmental damage, but they were not formal cease and desist orders.
In a press conference Wednesday, Baricuatro said that upon first seeing the structure on social media, she thought it looked “out of place.” / CDF