By Ric Obedencio | 12:37 PM May 01, 2026
The alleged illegal offshore construction of Coclea Lounge and Resto Bars owned Mr. Ruben F. Soriano, President, RFS Group of Companies Inc. is like putting the horse ahead of the cart.
The investigation by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) highlighted a “construct now, permit later” approach, report no. 2026-05 of the environment committee chaired by Board Member Atty. Jamie Villamor showed.
“There is no permit application currently pending with the City Government, confirming construction proceeded without legal authorization,” according to Atty. Collin Pacional, Office of the city Building Office (OBO). And for this, the proponent “faces potential administrative fines (minimum of ₱10,000) and is subject to a formal demolition order.”
The proponent RFS Group of Companies Inc. represented by counsels Atty. Maribel V. Sumayang and Atty. Ruggero E. Alvarez, admitted it has no legal permit yet. But the question remains why build when there’s not permit yet.
Pacional stressed that the said structure construction off Mansasa seaside is definitively covered under the National Building Code of the Philippines, as it is supported by reinforced concrete columns permanently embedded in the seabed.
Despite claims of being a “floating” entity, the structure is intended to remain permanently in one location, with the connecting bridge similarly classified as a permanent fixture. Defining such under building code Building, Occupancy, Electrical, Sanitary, and Structural Permits are still needed.
The Sanggguniang Panlalawigan said it has a legitimate oversight and fact-finding mandate. The probe I aid of legislation was to determine the true classification of the Coclea Lounge structure, verify its regulatory compliance status, and evaluate the enforcement actions taken by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the City Government of Tagbilaran, and the Bohol Provincial Environment and Management Office (BPEMO).
This transpired after the Tagbilaran Baywatch represented by Atty. Gertrude Biliran brought to the attention to the SP the said structure by the sea in Mansasa, according to the environment committee report No 2026-05 dated April 27, 2026.
RFS counsels said that the structure as a “floating restaurant, asserting its intended use is for commercial dining rather than a fixed land-based development” since “structure falls into a “regulatory gray area.” It argues that it does not fall under the OBO since “no traditional land excavation was performed,” nor MARINA has jurisdiction over it.
The proponent, however, expressed willingness to comply with all applicable laws but it has already started constructing the said structure without permit. It observed that there seems to be a lack of guidelines for this offshore development.
City Government on March 13, 2026 issued a Notice of Violation and on March 18 a Work Stoppage of the construction of a permanent structure without the required building permits.
On April 8, 2026, a joint investigation by DENR-PENRO and CENRO-Tagbilaran conducte a jint-probe on April 8, 2026 and found it rests on supports during low tide, confirming its reliance on the seabed for stability. The proponent has no valid Tenurial Instrument (e.g., Miscellaneous Lease Agreement/MLA), as the application is still pending. Even if a full ECC is not required, the proponent may be mandated to secure a Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC).
The provincial board asked the DENR to determine if the structure needs Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) or a Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC); and Provide technical report on the land classification.
It also asked city OBO to issue an assessment on the structural integrity and permit status based on the DENR’s land classification. (RVO)
