DENR to probe Monterrazas residential project in Cebu over landslides, floods
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources announced on Friday that it will launch an investigation into the Monterrazas de Cebu to assess if the residential project is adhering to environmental regulations. The project has come under scrutiny after being linked to recent flooding in Cebu brought by Typhoon Tino, which has killed nearly 200 people.
The DENR said a multi-stakeholder team of experts has been convened to jointly inspect, investigate, and assess the project’s compliance with environmental rules and Environment Compliance Certificate conditions.
“The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is committed to protect communities and uphold environmental laws. We remain steadfast in our mission to balance development with environmental protection and to ensure that every project operates in full compliance with the law,” it added.
The team is composed of technical experts from the DENR Region 7, Environmental Management Bureau (EMB-7), Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB-7), Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office Cebu, Community Environment and Natural Resources Office Cebu City, the Cebu City Government, and Barangay Guadalupe.
It is tasked to conduct a thorough on-site probe to assess the project’s compliance with its ECC conditions and environmental regulations, as well as evaluate the effectiveness of its drainage, slope protection, and runoff systems, and the stability of slopes and risks of landslides and flooding.
The investigation will also look into whether the project has modified the natural landscape, encroached on timberland areas, or contributed to erosion and siltation in surrounding waterways and tributaries.
The agency ordered the project proponent to adhere to its obligation to submit its Engineering, Geological, and Geohazard Assessment report.
“If the investigation finds any violation of ECC conditions or environmental regulations, the DENR will not hesitate to enforce corrective actions, including suspension, penalties, or other legal remedies as provided by law,” it said.
In addition, the Department of Public Works and Highways said it has begun an investigation into the flood control projects in Cebu from 2016 to 2025.
“Iniimbestigahan na ho natin kasama ng [Independent Commission on Infrastructure] ang mga proyekto na ginawa d’yan simula 2016 hanggang 2024-2025,” DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said in a DZMM interview.
“Klaro na hindi naging epektibo kung anuman ang ginawa nilang flood control project sa Cebu nitong nakaraang sampung taon. Malaki ang pagkukulang ng mga ginawang proyekto. Tingin ko dahil na rin ‘yun sa maling pagpaplano at maling pag-execute ang pag-implement ng mga proyekto," Dizon said.
“Hindi excuse ‘yun. Kapag pinaplano itong mga flood mitigation projects, kailangan kino-consider ‘yan hindi lang ‘yung normal na pag-ulan at pagbaha kundi pati ‘yung grabeng pag-ulan at grabeng mga bagyo," he added. “Pinagkakitaan itong mga proyektong ito.”
The Office of the Ombudsman also said on Friday it has tasked a special group to immediately investigate flood-control projects in Typhoon Tino-stricken locations.
The Monterrazas project was revealed by Pinoy Big Brother alum and engineer Slater Young in 2023, which had already received backlash at the time.
