Cebu City Council Takes Action Against Upland Development Violations
The Cebu City Council has taken a firm stance on environmental protection by recommending the issuance of cease and desist orders (CDOs) against six upland development projects. This move aims to curb activities that pose significant landslide risks in the city's mountainous areas. Additionally, the council has endorsed a separate case involving a government road project for legal review and further action, highlighting a broader crackdown on non-compliance with local ordinances.
Details of the Endorsed Projects and Legal Basis
Documents reveal that the City Legal Office (CLO) forwarded six resolutions, approved by the City Council, to the Cebu City Mining Regulatory Board (CCMRB) on February 3, 2026. These resolutions were based on recommendations from the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro), which advised the Office of the Mayor and the CLO to issue CDOs against specific projects. The targeted developments include:
- San Lorenza Development Corp. for earth-moving activity at San Lorenzo Village (Woodlands Subdivision) in Barangay Binaliw.
- Hallay’s Ville project for hauling activity in Barangay Buhisan.
- Suico’s Property / Inday Aalliyah Enterprises (Joselito Dosdos) for hauling and quarrying in Sitio Tac-an, Barangay Budlaan.
- JT Ayne Constructions for illegal earth-moving in Sitio Kainsikan, Barangay Binaliw.
- Powerplus Aggregates Systems Co. Ltd. for illegal earth-moving in Barangay Binaliw.
- PLD Construction and Development Inc. for earth-moving and hauling operations at Binaliw 1 (Proposed Villa Montana Subdivision).
In a separate matter, the CLO endorsed an inspection report concerning illegal quarry and hauling in Barangay Buhisan, linked to a road widening project by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Cebu City District Engineering Office. Unlike the other cases, this was not covered by a City Council resolution for a CDO but was referred to the CCMRB for comment and action. Cenro found that the project lacked a special hauling permit and tree-cutting permit under City Ordinances 2115 and 2623.
Legal Framework and Enforcement Measures
The CLO cited Section 5 of Executive Order (EO) 13, Series of 2022, known as "Oplan Likay sa Landslide," in all endorsements. This order suspends quarry and earth-moving activities in 30 upland barangays in Cebu City and remains in effect, as no notice of revocation has been received. EO 13 mandates the CCMRB to enforce the suspension and requires a Special Task Force to conduct geological evaluations before any suspension can be lifted. The endorsements are also anchored on City Ordinance 2115, the Cebu City Mining Ordinance.
Inspections have uncovered multiple violations. For instance, a December 16, 2025 inspection at Suico’s Property in Barangay Budlaan documented signs of recent quarry operations, with drone footage capturing dump trucks and backhoes. Investigators noted the absence of a quarry permit, special hauling permit, and exemption under EO 13, leading Cenro to issue a notice of violation and show cause order on January 27, 2026.
In Binaliw 1, Cenro reported that PLD Construction and Development Inc. continued hauling earth materials despite an expired special hauling permit. The inspection team observed backhoes, hauling trucks, and equipment segregating sand and gravel, prompting a recommendation for a review of the company’s exemption under EO 13 and potential CDO issuance.
Broader Environmental Concerns and Council Advocacy
Cenro highlighted other projects in Binaliw, such as those by San Lorenza Development Corp., JT Ayne Constructions, and Powerplus Aggregates Systems, for conducting earth-moving activities in landslide-prone upland areas. These actions have sparked calls for stricter regulation of upland developments.
Councilor Joel Garganera advocated for a citywide moratorium on upland development in a privilege speech in December 2025, citing environmental risks and landslide threats in mountain barangays. He urged tighter scrutiny of ongoing projects and strict enforcement of the city’s mining ordinances to prevent further degradation.
With the City Council resolutions backing CDOs for six projects and one additional case under review, attention now shifts to the CCMRB's response. The board's actions will be crucial in determining the effectiveness of these measures in safeguarding Cebu City's upland environments from unsustainable development practices.
