Public Safety and Security Office (PSSO) head Angel Sumagaysay affirmed on Wednesday that the closure of Camp Eleaga Spring Resort in Malabog, Paquibato District, Davao City went through the proper procedure.
“Katong tanan miagi sa tamang proseso before na isyu ang summary demolition so well-informed ang tag-iya and that’s it miabot ang adlaw na i-implement tung demolition,” Sumagaysay said during the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps media briefing at The Royal Mandaya Hotel.
On February 20, 2025, a demolition team led by the City Engineer’s Office (CEO) enforced the demolition order at Camp Eleaga Spring Resort for allegedly constructing buildings, structures, swimming pools, and other facilities without permits.
The resort management denounced the dismantling of the structures in a Facebook post. It was firmed that the demolition notice was served without order from the court. It also stated that the management was trying to complete the necessary documents to legalize the resort’s operations.
Meanwhile, Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) Inc. Environment Planner Lemuel Manalo explained that the resort was constructed in the area tagged as the Production Forest Zone where the water system of the community is situated.
“This is the reservoir of the community ug diri gakuha ug tubig ang Brgy. Malabog. Naa didto mismo ang barangay water system. In the statement of IDIS, we believe that these resources must be shared ug dili monopolized by a certain entity or business owner,” Manalo said.
Manalo also expounded that the Production Forest Zone means only allowed if the zone is agro-forestry, diversified farming, has reforestation efforts, minimal and very controlled tourism based on the 2% allowable development in the zoning ordinance.
“For a resort, there should be few cottages made of sustainable materials, and permanent structures are not allowed. Based on our current zoning ordinance, only 2% is allowed for development,” he said.
Manalo reiterated that the position of IDIS is also the same as what is stipulated in the zoning ordinance and the Local Building Code requirement.
“Pag nagstart sila sa pagkuha ng mga permits, the Office of the City Building Official (OCBO), together with the City Planning Office, mahatagan sila sa mga regulations like kani lang allowed na ma-develop. But because these are all absent sa pagbuhat ug pag construct (structures) then na surpass ni nga mga balaod. There were also series of notices na pud ang nahatag sa business owner,” he said.
