DENR Issues Stoppage Order Against Cebu Developer
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has officially ordered Monterrazas de Cebu to cease all operations following the discovery of multiple serious environmental violations. This decisive action came to light during the resumed Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on flood control anomalies on Friday, November 14, 2025.
Massive Unauthorized Tree Cutting and Penalties
DENR Central Visayas Executive Director Laudemir Salac revealed that the developer illegally cut down 734 trees without the necessary permits. He announced that criminal charges would be filed against the company's officials for violating Section 77 of Presidential Decree 705.
Salac emphasized the severe replacement penalty: "Of the 734 trees that were cut, by law they are required to replace 100 trees for each native tree that was cut, so more or less that is 73,400 trees. We at the DENR will not allow them to replace them with seedlings. It must be tree for tree."
The developer must plant these 73,400 trees throughout the 140-hectare project area. Should space be insufficient, DENR will designate adjacent mountain areas for planting, with all costs borne by Monterrazas de Cebu.
Multiple ECC Violations and Flooding Connection
Beyond the tree cutting, the project violated 10 out of 33 conditions of its Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC). A critical violation involved the collapse of two retention ponds, which Salac confirmed may have exacerbated flooding in nearby barangays during Typhoon Tino.
"Operations of Monterrazas de Cebu have been stopped. A notice of violations and a stoppage order have already been issued. I can assure you that as of Wednesday, November 12, they will no longer operate unless the damaged detention pond is repaired," Salac stated.
Senate Probe Considers 'Homicidal Negligence'
During the hearing, Senator Risa Hontiveros questioned whether contractors and government officials should be held liable for the deaths of over 230 individuals during the typhoon. She pointedly asked if the casualties resulted from negligence, incompetence, or corruption.
DPWH Undersecretary Arthur Bisnar responded that it appeared to be a combination of these factors, noting that testimonies suggested projects were not fully funded due to prior commitments and advances.
Senator Hontiveros pushed further, suggesting the department consider the events as "homicidal negligence" and ensure compensation for affected families, to which the DPWH secretary agreed.
As of late afternoon on November 14, Monterrazas de Cebu had not yet issued a public statement regarding the DENR's stoppage order and the allegations presented at the Senate hearing.
