The Stria denies ECC violations

CEBU, Philippines —  The management of The Stria Santa Fe condominium-resort has denied allegations that it violated environmental laws over height restrictions, insisting the project complied with all legal requirements and secured the necessary permits before construction.

In a statement, The Stria said it was granted an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC-OL-R07-2022-0417) by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) in Central Visayas. The ECC covers a gross floor area of 22,781 square meters, consistent with building plans submitted to the Santa Fe Office of the Building Official.

The company noted the ECC was issued after favorable endorsements from various bodies, including:

* Municipal Ordinance No. 14-2023 passed by the Santa Fe Sangguniang Bayan, allowing the 11-storey mixed-use project in Barangay Poblacion.

* Resolution No. 83-2022 from the municipal council endorsing the project to the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) and other agencies.

* A Height Clearance Permit from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

The developer, Fifth Avenue Property Development Corporation, argued that there is no height restriction under Presidential Proclamation 2151 and the NIPAS Act, which declare Bantayan Island a “wilderness area.”

 It said the only reference to height limits comes from Department Administrative Order (DAO) 2009-09, which applies only to government-owned protected zones—not to privately titled properties under the Torrens System.

The Stria sits on property covered by TCT No. 102-2021002485 under the Torrens System, which the company said is “clean” and carries no usage restrictions.

Earlier, DENR-EMB officials flagged the project for allegedly exceeding height limits, claiming the ECC approved only three floors. Authorities issued a stoppage order after the building reached 11 storeys.

The Stria maintained it has observed more than the legally mandated 20-meter shoreline easement and described itself as “the most compliant” among coastal developments on Bantayan Island. It said it has installed a sewage treatment plant and materials recovery facility, complied with building code requirements, and secured a License to Sell (LTS No. 0002203) from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) after passing stringent review.

“Thus, the issuance of the LTS in favor of The Stria shows that it has complied with all needed approvals and documentation,” the company said.

The project’s building permit (No. 090723-00092) was issued by the Santa Fe LGU on September 7, 2023.

“There is nothing illegal about the development of The Stria. It has valid title over the property where it sits… It has obtained all the necessary approvals, permits and licenses for it to be able to build its structure on its own titled property,” the statement read.

In a separate statement, the local government of Santa Fe confirmed that The Stria’s ECC contains no height restrictions and that inspections have verified compliance with easement rules. It said the Office of the Building Official issued a building permit to Fifth Avenue Property Development Corporation, The Stria’s developer, after the company completed all requirements and secured an ECC.

“The Local Government Unit of Santa Fe is committed to ensuring that all projects within Santa Fe, recognized as a protected area, strictly comply with environmental safeguards, zoning provisions, and safety standards to promote sustainable growth while preserving the municipality’s natural resources and protecting the welfare of the community,” the LGU said.-