Investigation Initiated at the Capitol Regarding The Stria
In Santa Fe, Bantayan Island, a controversial 11-story building known as The Stria has been under scrutiny for exceeding its environmental clearance limits and zoning regulations.
The initial environmental clearance, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), only allowed up to three stories or about 10 meters in height for structures in protected areas, based on DENR Administrative Order 2009-09. However, monitoring showed that The Stria had already reached four floors and was planned to rise 11 stories, far exceeding the authorized height.
The building also encroached into the 20-meter coastal easement area mandated by the Water Code of the Philippines, reserved for public use. Environmental agencies issued several violation notices and "cease and refrain" orders since 2024, but construction continued.
Despite these, the developers initially denied violations, arguing that the rules applied only to government-owned protected areas and not privately titled lands, and claimed proper clearances and setbacks were observed. However, the Cebu Provincial Government, along with the DENR, ordered construction suspension and imposed fines, affirming the violations.
The next steps hinge on the provincial legal review and the developer's response to the DENR-EMB 7 cease-and-refrain orders. The Santa Fe Municipal Government issued a permit for The Stria project, but the building permit was granted only for three stories. The ECC's conditions and restrictions, as stated by Santa Fe, do not place any restriction or limitation on the building height.
Environmental lawyer Gloria Estenzo Ramos warned that unchecked construction in protected landscapes threatens Bantayan Island's biodiversity and violates environmental laws. This is Gov. Pamela Baricuatro's first on-site activity on Bantayan Island since photos of The Stria circulated online. The Local Government Unit of Santa Fe is committed to ensuring projects in protected areas comply with environmental safeguards, zoning provisions, and safety standards.
The mayors of Bantayan and Madridejos towns attended a service caravan on Bantayan Island, and Gov. Pamela Baricuatro stated that the Capitol will act after its legal department completes its document check. The site of The Stria, according to a 2022 inspection, is outside the 20-meter easement zone and within the multiple use zone.
Residents and longtime visitors have questioned the tower's scale near Kota Beach, raising concerns about wastewater and shoreline setbacks as risks. Environmental lawyer Gloria Estenzo Ramos's warning underscores the importance of adhering to environmental regulations to protect Bantayan Island's unique ecosystem and preserve its natural beauty for future generations.
- The controversy surrounding The Stria in Cebu's Santa Fe, Bantayan Island, involves a building that has exceeded its environmental clearance limits and zoning regulations, as stated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
- The decision on the future of The Stria lies in the hands of the Cebu Provincial Government and the DENR, with the provincial legal review and the developer's response to the cease-and-refrain orders being crucial factors.
- The Local Government Unit of Santa Fe emphasizes its commitment to ensuring projects in protected areas comply with environmental safeguards, zoning provisions, and safety standards, a commitment that is echoed in light of the controversy surrounding The Stria.
- Residents and longtime visitors of Bantayan Island have expressed concerns about the potential risks posed by The Stria, such as wastewater and shoreline setbacks, highlighting the importance of adhering to environmental regulations to preserve the island's unique ecosystem and natural beauty.
