Only 4 developers submit flood plans

CEBU, Philippines — Only four of the 65 hillside developers in Cebu City’s South District have so far complied with the city government’s order to submit flood mitigation plans, prompting authorities to extend the deadline until August 27.

Following the massive flooding recently experienced by several barangays in the South District, the city government required the 65 hillside developers to present designs for detention ponds and other flood mitigation measures.

Monterrazas de Cebu, which has been blamed for flooding in Barangay Guadalupe and neighboring areas, was among the first to comply, along with La Paloma and Amari Residences. Apple One also submitted its response, although four days after the August 20 original deadline.

Kenneth Siasar, chief of staff of Mayor Nestor Archival, said all 65 developers had been properly notified.

“Ang 65 ka letters nga gi-address sa ila, walay problema. But ang 65 letters, pagbalik sa ilang tubag, mao na ang atong gihuwat pa,” he said.

Siasar added that the Office of the Mayor, through the City Administrator and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), had already reached out to every developer.

“So far, ang religiously nga nakasubmit sa ilang tubag, tulo pa,” he added, naming Monterrazas, La Paloma and Amari Residences as the first to comply. Several developers have requested an extension to comply with the directive.

“Daghan man gihapon nitawag nga pwede ba i-extend. After all, niingon man ang mayor nga, ‘That’s August 27, ma-collect ug ma-collate na nato ang resulta aron ma-report nato,’” Siasar explained.

The mayor’s office has since set August 27 as the final deadline for submissions, with inspections scheduled to begin immediately afterward. Developers that have already complied will be prioritized.

The city has also warned that non-compliance will not be tolerated.

“Nag-istorya mi kagahapon ni mayor, tungod kay ang gihimo niya is memorandum or letter. So, perhaps atong hatagan og more teeth, atong ipaagi og city legal,” Siasar said, signaling that developers who fail to submit may face legal consequences.

He said the next step would involve the City Legal Office drafting formal communications to developers who fail to comply.

Siasar also addressed concerns over whether the city could deliver results within a tight timeframe.

“We will see kung as a whole ba or atong anam-anamon by clustering. Clustering ang atong pag-report katong mga kasikbit nga mga developers atong unahon. Especially ang Monterrazas ug ang kasikbit nga lugar,” he said.

He said the city may release its findings in phases, initially focusing on clusters of adjacent developments and areas considered to be at higher risk.

The compliance drive follows recurring flooding in Cebu City, particularly in the South District barangays of Tisa, Labangon and Guadalupe, where rapid hillside development has raised concerns over increased runoff and clogged waterways.

The 118-hectare Monterrazas de Cebu project has long been at the center of the debate. Its developer has maintained that it has built 24 detention ponds exceeding city requirements, while councilors and residents have continued to raise concerns over the project’s impact on surrounding communities. — (FREEMAN)