Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro has ordered the mayor of Santa Fe town in Bantayan Island, northern Cebu Province to suspend the construction of a hotel for alleged violations of national environmental laws.

According to a post on Cebu Province, official news portal of the Cebu Provincial Capitol, Baricuatro issued a directive to Santa Fe Mayor Ithamar Espinosa to halt the construction of the alleged “controversial hotel.”

In a letter dated August 18, 2025, Baricuatro reminded Espinosa of the “legal consequences if he fails to comply with the order.”

“Failure to comply with this directive shall be deemed willful disobedience under Section 60 of RA [Republic Act] 7160 and may compel this Office to endorse the matter to the DILG [Department of the Interior and Local Government] Region 7 for administrative proceedings, without prejudice to other legal remedies,” the letter said, based on the post.

Aside from the immediate suspension of the construction, Baricuatro also ordered Espinosa to “submit a complete set of public documents, including zoning clearance, ECC [Environmental Compliance Certificate], and related permits, to her office within five working days,” the post added. 

Further, Baricuatro directed Espinosa to “coordinate with the DENR-EMB [Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Board] Region 7 for technical validation of compliance, particularly on salvage zone and height restrictions.”

Furthermore, Baricuatro cited violations of national environmental laws by the “controversial hotel.” She noted that the company only secured clearance from the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) for the construction of a three-storey building. However, it was reported that the hotel has been building an 11-storey structure.

MAYOR'S LETTER TO ALLEGED CONTROVERSIAL HOTEL 

The Municipality of Santa Fe furnished GMA Regional TV News a copy of a letter from the Office of the Municipal Mayor dated August 18, 2025, wherein Espinosa ordered the hotel management to stop construction activities.

“Provincial Governor Pamela Baricuatro, in the exercise of her supervisory powers, directed this Office to immediately order the suspension of all construction activities of The Stria Hotel Project pending verification of full compliance," the letter signed by Espinosa said.

In the opening portion of the letter, the mayor has informed the hotel management of the ECC suspension. 

“This Office informs you that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) - Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Region 7 issued an order dated August 14, 2025 suspending indefinitely, until further notice, your Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC-OL-RO7-2022-0417 dated December 15, 2022),” the opening of the letter read. 

Espinosa pointed out that the said suspension was issued due to the hotel’s “failure to pay the administrative fine of P275,000 and non-compliance/failure to address the Notice of Violation, despite receipt of the Resolution dated April 8, 2025.”

“In this regard, we strongly recommend that you comply with the DENR EMB Order, specifically by settling the fine and responding to the Notice of Violation. Please be reminded that under the EMB Order, you are directed to immediately stop any activity related to the project,” the mayor’s letter further read.

“Accordingly, and in line with both the DENR EMB suspension of your ECC and the directive of the Provincial Governor, you are hereby directed to suspend all construction activities of The Stria Santa Fe Project until full compliance has been verified and the suspension is lifted,” the letter concluded. 

(Info courtesy: Cebu Provincial Information Office, Municipality of Santa Fe Official)