Cebu City to Monitor Monterrazas Developer for Local Ordinance Violations
Cebu City will continue to monitor and potentially penalize the developer of the Monterrazas de Cebu project in Barangay Guadalupe for any violations of local ordinances, Mayor Nestor Archival stated on Monday, April 20, 2026. This announcement comes after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) 7 lifted its order against the project on April 6, having determined that the developer complied with environmental requirements.
Respecting National Authority While Enforcing Local Rules
Archival emphasized that the City respects the DENR-EMB 7 decision, as the agency holds primary authority over environmental matters. However, he clarified that the City will independently review the project's compliance with local regulations. If any violations are identified, penalties will be imposed, underscoring that private developments must adhere to both national and local rules to ensure community safety and order.
Flooding Concerns Under Technical Evaluation
Flooding concerns linked to the Monterrazas de Cebu project remain under technical evaluation by the City. Archival noted that DENR-EMB 7 findings indicated multiple factors contributed to downstream flooding, including extreme rainfall during typhoon Tino on November 4, 2025. The City plans to implement recommendations from local and national environmental offices to address these issues and enhance safety measures.
Hydrology Study and Celebrity Engineer's Statement
In a video statement on April 19, celebrity and engineer Slater Young cited a University of the Philippines hydrology study, which identified rainfall as the primary factor in flooding and stated that the project's detention system actually reduced runoff. Young asserted that the system captured nearly all excess rainfall and that independent reviews support this conclusion. He warned against misinformation and affirmed the project's openness to scrutiny, highlighting the importance of evidence-based discussions.
City Council Hearings and Technical Findings
The issue has been extensively examined in City Council hearings and technical studies. These investigations found that flooding resulted from watershed-wide conditions rather than a single development. Additionally, it was noted that the Monterrazas de Cebu project lies in a separate drainage system from heavily affected areas. Earlier, the council declined to issue a cease-and-desist order, citing the need for further validation and broader factors such as drainage capacity and clogged waterways.
Developer's Response and Mitigation Efforts
Developer Mont Property Group Inc. maintained that it has complied with all regulations and pointed to scientific findings attributing flooding primarily to extreme rainfall. The company reported that its mitigation system has expanded to include 23 detention ponds, exceeding initial requirements. However, it acknowledged that no development can completely eliminate flooding due to varying watershed conditions and rainfall intensity, emphasizing a commitment to ongoing improvements and transparency.
