Cebu City Council Imposes Enhanced Regulatory Oversight on Monterrazas de Cebu Development
In a decisive move to uphold environmental and administrative standards, the Cebu City Council has approved a recommendation for stricter regulatory compliance and monitoring of the Monterrazas de Cebu development in Barangay Guadalupe. This action, taken on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, aims to ensure that the developer adheres to all required protocols as construction activities progress, addressing growing concerns from the community and local officials.
Background and Inspection Findings
The council's resolution follows an inspection conducted on January 12, 2026, by a team comprising representatives from the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro), the Office of the Building Official (OBO), and officials of Barangay Guadalupe. This inspection was prompted by a resolution filed by Councilor Mikel Rama on February 3, 2026, leading to an executive session held on March 10. During this session, attendees included representatives from Cenro, OBO, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and Barangay Guadalupe officials.
Developer's Defense and Clarifications
During the closed-door meeting, Monterrazas de Cebu maintained that it did not violate any cease and desist order (CDO), as clarified by Councilor Joel Garganera. The developer argued that the reported earth-moving activities were not within the specific area covered by the stoppage order. "They said they did not violate the CDO because the reported earth movement is not in the same area of Monterrazas that is being questioned," Garganera stated. He further explained that Monterrazas is part of a larger property with multiple developers, and the observed activity was outside the portion linked to flooding issues raised after typhoon Tino on November 4, 2025.
Retention Ponds and Environmental Concerns
The developer also informed council members that the project's water retention ponds exceed the required capacity. "They said their retention pond is more than enough—around 80 percent beyond what is required," Garganera noted. However, concerns persist regarding drainage systems connected to lowland areas, with poorly maintained or enclosed channels potentially worsening water flow during heavy rains. Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña emphasized during the meeting that he is not opposed to development projects but stressed the necessity for proper planning to manage rainwater runoff effectively. "When large developments are built without proper water absorption, the runoff becomes like the flush of a toilet—it goes straight into the drainage system and increases the speed and volume of water going down," Garganera relayed.
Flooding Incident and Community Impact
The controversy surrounding the project intensified after severe flooding struck parts of Barangay Guadalupe during typhoon Tino, specifically affecting Sitio Guadalajara on November 4. Online videos depicted floodwaters nearly reaching the roofs of several houses, with at least 20 homes damaged by strong currents that breached a perimeter wall. Residents reported that this was the first time they experienced such severe flooding, raising concerns that the hillside development exacerbated water runoff. In response, the Sangguniang Kabataan of Barangay Guadalupe, led by SK chairman Matthew Jose Estenzo, passed a resolution calling for an investigation into the project's retention ponds and drainage systems.
Calls for Transparency and Coordination
Garganera highlighted that barangay and SK officials attended the executive session but remain uncertain about the results of ongoing investigations. He urged the developer to coordinate closely with the barangay and keep residents informed about activities in the area, regardless of CDO compliance. "Whether they like it or not, the barangay is their host community. If there are developments or earth-moving activities, even if those are not covered by the CDO, they should inform the barangay," he asserted. He added that the developer should proactively explain the situation to local officials and residents instead of waiting for concerns to escalate before the City Council. "Since DENR has not yet released its findings, the least the developer can do is reach out to the barangay and explain what is happening on the ground," Garganera concluded.
Government Response and Future Actions
Cenro had previously recommended the issuance of a CDO over alleged environmental compliance issues but clarified that the authority to issue such an order rests with Mayor Nestor Archival. In a separate interview, Archival stated that he has yet to receive the endorsement but assured that the City Government will act promptly once the documents are submitted. The DENR's investigation into the flooding incident remains pending, with Garganera expressing low expectations for a swift release of results, citing historical delays in such processes.
