A major debate is underway at Cebu City Hall over the massive Monterrazas de Cebu property development. While some city leaders push to halt construction due to flooding and landslide concerns, Mayor Nestor Archival urges a calm, fact-based approach.
Council Resolution Sparks Tension
The issue escalated after the Cebu City Council passed a resolution requesting the mayor to issue a cease-and-desist order. This order would stop all construction by Mont Property Group, except for water catchment and flood-control structures.
Mayor Archival advocates for a balanced perspective, noting that reports submitted to the city show the developer has already completed required water catchment facilities. “I appreciate their concerns, but as mayor, I also have to look beyond that concern,” Archival said. “I understand that they are looking after the welfare of the people living below the development, but we also need to see the bigger picture.”
The mayor believes some officials may lack complete information. He emphasized that the city relies on findings from national experts like the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB). “The catchments are already done. I think some of them may not have read the reports submitted to them. I have copies of those reports,” Archival stated. “We are regulated by the DENR, which is the highest authority that can give directions on situations like flooding and environmental concerns.”
When asked directly if he supports stopping the project, Archival did not give a definitive answer. Instead, he stressed a careful, step-by-step approach. “I could not answer that. What I’m trying to do is balance how things should be done, not in an impulsive way. It should be based on things that can be seen and verified,” he said.
Vice Mayor Compares Risks to ‘Russian Roulette’
Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña, author of the resolution, strongly disagrees. He argues that continuing to cut into the mountainside before testing current flood defenses poses a massive safety risk, comparing it to a deadly game. “The chances may be small, but if it happens, people are not 18 percent dead. They’re 100 percent dead,” Osmeña said.
Osmeña cited a tragic 2022 landslide in Barangay Binaliw that killed 31 people, warning that even experienced developers can make mistakes. He wants all expansion paused until the system can be tested by a major storm. “I’m not against hillside development. I think it’s wonderful. But we have to realize the danger. If it happens, it’s fatal,” Osmeña said. “Let them continue building the detention ponds. But before additional development proceeds, we should determine whether these measures are sufficient to withstand a major typhoon.”
Other local officials echoed this cautious stance. Councilor Harold Go noted that while business interests are important, human lives cannot be replaced. Minority Floor Leader Sisinio Andales added that local officials should act early to prevent disasters rather than reacting after tragedy strikes.
Is Stopping the Project Premature?
On the other side, several councilors believe halting the project now is unwise, warning it could make Cebu City appear “anti-business,” especially since the developer has followed all regulations. Councilor Winston Pepito pointed out that recent presentations showed the city’s flooding problems are not solely caused by Monterrazas. Majority Floor Leader Dave Tumulak agreed, noting that national regulators at the DENR and EMB have cleared the developer to proceed. “The council should avoid hasty measures that may undermine ongoing flood mitigation efforts and technical interventions,” Tumulak said.
Developer’s Flood Control Measures
According to official reports from Mont Property Group, the 118-hectare Monterrazas development has built significantly more flood protection than required:
- 14 identified catchment areas.
- 24 existing detention ponds, with 8 more proposed.
- Total water capacity of 62,710.50 cubic meters.
This capacity is about 240 percent higher than the required 26,701 cubic meters based on engineering calculations.
Next Steps
Instead of enforcing an immediate shutdown, the city council referred the matter to the Technical Infrastructure Committee (TIC) for further study. The committee will work with the mayor’s office, developers, and local neighborhoods to test the effectiveness of flood defenses.
Mayor Archival insists he cares deeply about the environment but wants practical solutions based on facts. “I’m not silent on environmental concerns. I’m pushing hard for these measures to be implemented. But we must also follow the proper process and base our actions on facts,” Archival said. “We need solutions that are practical, measurable and grounded on facts.”
