The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has issued a decisive stoppage order against the large-scale Monterrazas de Cebu hillside development, compelling a complete halt to all its operations in Cebu City. The dramatic move comes after inspectors uncovered extensive environmental violations, including the illegal cutting of hundreds of trees and the failure of critical flood control infrastructure.
The order was confirmed on Friday, November 14, 2025, with the agency highlighting the severe nature of the infractions. The situation is so dire that a city official pointed out the DENR's finding that only 11 trees remain from an original count of over 700 as clear evidence of wrongdoing.
Extensive Violations Uncovered
During a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing focused on flood control, DENR 7 Executive Director Laudemir Salac presented the damning evidence. He stated that the developer, Monterrazas de Cebu, had cut down more than 700 trees without the necessary permits, an act he labeled a "clear breach of forestry and environmental laws."
Salac further revealed that the project violated 10 of the 33 conditions stipulated in its Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC). A critical failure was the collapse of two stormwater detention ponds, which are vital for managing runoff and preventing flooding.
A separate joint inspection conducted on November 6 and 7 confirmed the scale of the damage. DENR 7 Assistant Director Eddie Llamedo reported a staggering discrepancy in the project's 2022 tree inventory. Out of 745 trees previously documented, a mere 11 were found standing. Inspectors also identified violations of the Clean Water Act and the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System, noting that several of the project's 17 stormwater ponds were either damaged or heavily silted.
Severe Consequences for the Developer
In response to these findings, the DENR has taken firm action. It has issued a formal notice of violations and a stoppage order. "They cannot operate unless repairs are made," Salac declared, leaving no room for ambiguity.
The legal repercussions are significant. Criminal charges will be filed under Section 77 of Presidential Decree 705 against the officials responsible for the unauthorized tree cutting.
Furthermore, the developer faces a massive ecological restoration mandate. Monterrazas de Cebu must replace each of the 734 illegally cut trees with 100 mature native trees, bringing the total to 73,400 trees. The DENR has specified that it will not accept seedlings for this penalty, insisting on a "tree for tree" compensation with mature specimens. The developer is required to shoulder all replanting costs. Additionally, each ECC violation carries an administrative fine of P50,000, with other potential penalties still under consideration.
A History of Environmental Issues and City Response
This is not the first time Monterrazas de Cebu has been embroiled in environmental controversy. The developer received stop orders in both 2008 and 2011 following incidents of mudslides and flooding that affected lowland communities. Concerns about the project's impact resurfaced after Typhoon Odette in 2021 and again more recently after Typhoon Tino, with residents blaming the development for increased runoff and erosion.
Meanwhile, the Cebu City Government is awaiting the official report from the DENR before taking its own action. Councilor Joel Garganera, who chairs the committee on environment, clarified that the City Council had only approved one tree-cutting application for the area in 2023, which permitted 41 trees to be cut, nine to be earth-balled, and 58 to be preserved. He confirmed that once the DENR's official findings are released, the City Environment and Natural Resources Office and the City Legal Office will recommend legal and administrative action.
As of the Friday hearing, Monterrazas de Cebu had not issued any public statement regarding the DENR's order and the allegations. The DENR has now announced it is reviewing other hillside developments in the region for similar violations.
