A former Cebu City official has raised serious concerns about the controversial Monterrazas de Cebu development, warning that the halted project now faces significant landslide threats due to exposed mountainsides.
Project Stoppage Creates Dangerous Conditions
Architect Joseph Michael Espina, former director of the Cebu City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), revealed that the stoppage order issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) against the developer has left large portions of the mountain area dangerously exposed.
The DENR issued the stoppage order on November 12, 2025, following a notice of violations against the project. This action came after the development was implicated in contributing to flash floods in southern barangays of the city during Typhoon Tino.
Critical Stabilization Measures Missing
Espina explained that while the project has already excavated substantial portions of the mountainside, no stabilization measures have been implemented to secure the area. This situation makes the location highly vulnerable to landslides, especially during heavy rainfall.
"So there has to be interventions or mitigating measures now to address the open areas there. So I don't know if they will be allowed to cover it up. I don't know how they can do that," Espina stated, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Flood Connection and Clarifications
The project came under scrutiny after a viral video showed powerful water flows and the destruction of a water retention pond within the development during Typhoon Tino. However, Espina clarified that Monterrazas' drainage system flows toward the Kinalumsan watershed, meaning it doesn't have a direct connection to the destructive flooding in other areas of Talisay, Mandaue, and Consolacion-Liloan, which are connected to the Mananga or Butuanon River systems.
Despite this clarification, Espina emphasized that the alleged violations at Monterrazas remain a serious matter requiring immediate attention and resolution to prevent potential disasters.
