REGIONAL
Advocates Philippines
DENR Suspends Santa Fe Construction Project For Violating Environmental Rules
Photo credit: SkyscraperCity
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has put the brakes on a major construction project in Santa Fe, Cebu after discovering violations of environmental regulations.
The project in question, “The Stria Santa Fe Project” by Fifth Avenue Property Development Corporation, was found to have exceeded the approved building height limit. Under the rules of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), only structures up to 10 meters—or roughly three floors—are allowed in order to preserve the natural landscape of the area. However, monitoring by DENR and its Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) revealed that the project had already reached four floors, going beyond the legal limit.
This was not the first time the developers had been called out. The EMB previously ordered the company to pay fines amounting to ₱270,000 and issued multiple Notices of Violation between July and December 2024. When the company failed to adequately respond, the Cebu City office of the DENR ordered a halt to all construction activities in May 2025.
Because of these repeated violations, the project’s Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC)—a crucial permit that allows construction to proceed under environmental safeguards—was officially suspended last week.
DENR Central Visayas Regional Executive Director Paquito D. Melicor, Jr. stressed the seriousness of the violation: “Any development that goes beyond the allowable limits not only breaches regulatory requirements but also risks causing damage to the environment.”
The DENR emphasized that it remains committed to enforcing environmental laws and ensuring development projects follow guidelines meant to protect Cebu’s natural resources.
The project in question, “The Stria Santa Fe Project” by Fifth Avenue Property Development Corporation, was found to have exceeded the approved building height limit. Under the rules of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), only structures up to 10 meters—or roughly three floors—are allowed in order to preserve the natural landscape of the area. However, monitoring by DENR and its Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) revealed that the project had already reached four floors, going beyond the legal limit.
This was not the first time the developers had been called out. The EMB previously ordered the company to pay fines amounting to ₱270,000 and issued multiple Notices of Violation between July and December 2024. When the company failed to adequately respond, the Cebu City office of the DENR ordered a halt to all construction activities in May 2025.
Because of these repeated violations, the project’s Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC)—a crucial permit that allows construction to proceed under environmental safeguards—was officially suspended last week.
DENR Central Visayas Regional Executive Director Paquito D. Melicor, Jr. stressed the seriousness of the violation: “Any development that goes beyond the allowable limits not only breaches regulatory requirements but also risks causing damage to the environment.”
The DENR emphasized that it remains committed to enforcing environmental laws and ensuring development projects follow guidelines meant to protect Cebu’s natural resources.
Aug 18, 2025
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