The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has issued a cease and desist order against Monterrazas de Cebu, halting all operations after investigators uncovered multiple environmental violations. This development comes amid ongoing public scrutiny following the catastrophic Cotcot River flooding in Liloan that claimed more than 60 lives and destroyed numerous homes.
The Cotcot River Tragedy: An Engineering Failure
Recent satellite imagery and ground investigations reveal that the Cotcot River had been artificially diverted from its natural course, creating a dangerous bottleneck in water flow. The river modification forced the waterway to make a sharp, unnatural turn, significantly increasing hydraulic pressure and elevating the risk of embankment failure.
When heavy rainfall struck the region, the compromised riverbanks collapsed, triggering an explosive flood surge that devastated communities with minimal warning. The November 2025 disaster resulted in the destruction of homes and displacement of countless families, marking one of Cebu's most devastating tragedies in recent decades.
Monterrazas: Wrongly Targeted or Legitimate Concern?
While public attention has focused heavily on the Monterrazas development in Cebu City, evidence suggests the project bears no hydrological connection to the Cotcot River disaster. According to local residents and technical assessments, the runoff pathways from Monterrazas do not lead to the Cotcot River system.
Long-time residents note that the slopes in the Monterrazas area were previously bare, with no significant tree cover that could have been cleared. No landslide or structural failure from Monterrazas occurred during the flooding incident, though the development's water retention pond did experience a breach that caused localized flooding.
Unanswered Questions and Call for Independent Investigation
The central mystery remains why the primary cause of the disaster—the river diversion and embankment collapse—hasn't received thorough investigation. Community leaders and environmental advocates are demanding accountability from multiple parties involved in the river modification project.
The call for investigation extends to:
- The contractor responsible for the river diversion work
- DPWH officials who approved and supervised the project
- DENR offices that granted environmental permits
- Local government engineering offices that allowed structural changes
Similar environmental concerns have been raised about the Mananga watershed, where flood-control structures have failed and illegal quarrying operations continue unchecked despite environmental regulations.
Advocates are urging the Office of the President, Congress, DENR, DPWH, and local government units to launch a formal, independent investigation into the Cotcot River diversion project and all parties involved in its design, approval, and construction. The victims' families and affected communities continue to seek truth and justice for one of Cebu's most painful disasters.
