Cebu City Launches Probe Into Hillside Development Amid Flooding Concerns
Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival has ordered a comprehensive inspection of the Monterrazas de Cebu hillside development project following numerous public complaints linking the construction to worsening flooding in adjacent areas. The mayor directed the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to conduct the investigation last Friday.
Public Complaints Trigger Official Action
The inspection was prompted by multiple online reports and social media posts that accused the hillside development, owned by engineer and celebrity Slater Young, of contributing to sudden flooding in southern barangays of the city. Residents have reported increased water runoff and more severe flooding incidents since construction activities intensified in the mountainous area of Barangay Guadalupe.
Mayor Archival, who has been in office for only five months, emphasized that the inspection team is expected to submit their findings shortly. The team committed to delivering their report the following day after the inspection, and city officials have pledged to follow their recommendations completely.
Potential Outcomes and City's Stance
The mayor outlined the city's position clearly regarding potential recommendations from the inspection team. If the report recommends stopping the project, we will follow it, Archival stated, adding that if it recommends expanding the catchment area to benefit the city and downstream residents, we will allow that too.
Archival also revealed that he is reviewing whether the previous administration had issued any cease-and-desist orders or other regulatory actions against the Monterrazas project. The city is prepared to hold developers accountable if evidence confirms their projects contributed to flooding problems.
If they find something that needs to be fixed, we will make sure the developers act on it, the mayor assured the public, highlighting the city's commitment to addressing environmental concerns while ensuring responsible development.
