Satellite images from 2012 to 2022 reveal the expansion of Siargao Bleu Resort and Spa into a protected area in Siargao. The resort, owned by the Matugas family, has added land through reclamation, which is prohibited in protected areas according to DENR guidelines. Experts warn of potential environmental damage and biodiversity loss.
Satellite imagery from 2012 to 2022 shows extensive development at Siargao Bleu Resort and Spa in Barangay Catangnan, General Luna, which is part of the Siargao Islands Protected Landscape and Seascape (SIPLAS), a protected area under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS).
Roel dela Cruz, an engineer at the Philippine Space Agency, stated, "From the satellite data examined, there is extensive development in the area. Portions formerly showing water surfaces are now covered with land and vegetation." He advised consulting the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as reclamation requires permission.
DENR's 2018 guidelines state, "In no case shall protected areas be subjected to reclamation." The Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) of SIPLAS has identified reclamation as a threat to the island's mangrove cover, often undertaken by local governments or private landowners.
Mariglo Rosaida Laririt from DENR warned that reclamation can obstruct water flow, leading to erosion, biodiversity loss, and potential flooding or further erosion nearby. The resort is owned by Emmylou “Melot” Matugas-Abejo, daughter of Dapa Mayor Elizabeth Matugas, Surigao del Norte. It operates under Emaland Leisure, Parks, and Resorts Inc., established in 2009, with construction starting in 2011 and opening in 2015.
Elizabeth Matugas served as corporate secretary until the company's general information sheet was amended in November 2025. The Matugas family holds strong influence in Siargao, though Melot lost the 2025 mayoral election in General Luna.
Bingo Matugas, son of Representative Francisco “Lalo” Matugas, denied the need for reclamation, claiming the beachfront is naturally rocky. However, geoscientist Narod Eco countered, "Looking at the satellite imagery, the resort appears to have encroached and expanded into the nearby body of water. That’s reclamation, even by government definition."
Rappler received no response from the resort or DENR. The Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) requires endorsement from the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) for any reclamation in SIPLAS. Environmental lawyer Liza Eisma-Osorio highlighted this as a failure of regulatory bodies, noting that illegally reclaimed land can be forfeited by the government.
