Davao City councilor Temujin “Tek” Ocampo on Tuesday explained that the structures demolished in Malabog, Paquibato District, Davao City were situated outside of a resort’s property.
“Part of the Camp Eleaga Resort is a private property but the demolition of the structures was situated in a public domain,” Ocampo, chair of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources of the City Council, said during the Aprubado sa Konseho media forum on Tuesday.
This developed after a demolition team led by the City Engineer’s Office (CEO) enforced the demolition order at Camp Eleaga Spring Resort on February 20, 2025 for allegedly constructing buildings, structures, swimming pools, and other facilities without permits.
Ocampo explained that the permits provided by the city government of Davao to Camp Eleaga Resort were for the activities within its private property only.
“Buot pasabot kung naa siya’y legal permits didto lang para sa iyahang pribadong luna, kung duna siya’y titulo na mapakita. Activities outside the private property being conducted by the Camp Eleaga is the reason why a demolition was done, like the lake, which is not part of the private property. Any document showing the legitimacy of the operation is granted only within the private property, within sa iyahang property na sakop sa iyahang titulo,” he said.
Ocampo emphasized that any claim of the legitimacy to operate in the public domain is not true.
“Walay gihatag ang syudad sa Dabaw as per checking sa City Planning Development Office, wala silay’ gihatag nga pagtugot o permit nga himoon legal ang operasyon outside the private property of Eleaga Resort,” he said.
Ocampo added that the resort has been operating for a long time even when he was not a member of the City Council.
The resort management denounced the dismantling of the structures in a Facebook post.
Ocampo urged the management to come to his office to discuss and give clarification on the issue.
“They can always come to my office para maklaro ni ug magconduct ug committee hearing para ma-discuss publicly naa silay representative, naa tay representative sa city they can always file their grievances. Kung gusto nila matubag sa syudad in a formal forum, they can always puwede nila gamiton ang atong komitiba para mahigustan nato, para fair pud,” he said.
Last month, Public Safety and Security Office (PSSO) head Angel Sumagaysay affirmed that the demolition of Camp Eleaga Spring Resort went through the proper procedure.
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.
Manalo also expounded that the Production Forest Zone is 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.
