Mont Property Group Inc., developer of the Monterrazas de Cebu hillside project, reported to the Cebu City Council on June 15, 2026, that it has completed 24 detention ponds with a storage capacity exceeding regulatory requirements by 240 percent. The submission came as Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña filed a resolution urging Mayor Nestor Archival Sr. to issue a cease and desist order to suspend all development at the site until flood-control measures are proven effective.
Infrastructure Compliance Details
In a letter addressed to Vice Mayor Osmeña, the developer detailed its compliance with City Resolution 17-3083-2026 and outlined measures addressing flooding concerns. Represented by MN Law, Mont Property Group furnished the City Council with an updated schematic diagram and flood plan on May 18, 2026. This complied with commitments made to the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) 7 on Nov. 13, 2025, following a council resolution passed in March.
Rehabilitation of existing structures and construction of six new ponds brought the total to 24 operational detention ponds across 14 catchment areas within the 118-hectare project. These facilities temporarily store stormwater runoff, reducing water volume and downhill velocity during heavy rains.
Expanded Storage Capacity
The approved design requires a minimum storage capacity of 26,701 cubic meters. However, the 24 operational ponds provide 62,710.5 cubic meters, exceeding requirements by 240 percent. Catchment Areas C-01 and C-06 provide the largest storage, holding nearly 48,000 cubic meters combined.
According to the developer, the detention system functioned as designed during a June 3 rainfall event. A June 8 monitoring report submitted to EMB 7, the City Council, and Barangay Guadalupe confirmed that runoff was effectively captured, water levels remained non-critical, and no significant erosion occurred.
Performance Monitoring
Mont Property Group submits regular monitoring reports to EMB 7, the City Council, and Barangay Guadalupe. The June 8 report covering the June 3 rainfall event stated: “The inspection results confirm that the detention pond system functioned as designed during the monitored rainfall event.”
The developer maintained it remains compliant with City Resolution 17-3083-2026 and will continue coordinating drainage improvements with government agencies. MN Law junior partner Theamer Nina Cañete said, “We trust that the foregoing sufficiently demonstrates the Mont’s continued compliance with its commitments and obligations.”
Proposed Suspension
The developer’s letter arrived the same day Vice Mayor Osmeña filed a resolution urging Mayor Nestor Archival Sr. to issue a cease and desist order. The proposed CDO would suspend all development, except flood-control work, to prioritize public safety. Osmeña has called for the Cebu City Government to halt development within Monterrazas until all water catchments are proven effective.
