DENR cites violations in Monterrazas de Cebu project

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has flagged the high-end Monterrazas de Cebu project for multiple environmental violations, raising concerns about its role in the recent catastrophic flooding in Cebu.

DENR Region 7 assistant regional director Eddie Llamedo said a multi-agency inspection team found substantial non-compliance with key environmental requirements, including the clear-cutting of hundreds of unaccounted trees and violations of several conditions of the project’s amended environmental compliance certificate (ECC).

“We discovered that of the 745 trees listed in the 2022 inventory, only 11 remained,” Llamedo said on Thursday. “This constitutes a clear violation of Section 77 of the Forestry Code, and we are now building a case against the developer.”

The 200-hectare Monterrazas de Cebu development, promoted as a “Banaue rice terraces-inspired” residential complex, has drawn sustained criticism since 2023 for environmental risks tied to its slope-altering construction, with residents and observers linking the project’s terrain modifications to worsening runoff and flooding during Typhoon Tino, which left 108 dead in Cebu and displaced thousands of others.

Llamedo said the Monterrazas site is several kilometers away from the hardest-hit areas – 5.4 kilometers from the Mananga River in Talisay City, near the heavily flooded subdivision Villa del Rio; about eight kilometers from Talisay City proper, 6.5 kilometers from the Butuanon River; 11 kilometers from Consolacion and 11.1 kilometers from the Cotcot River – but noted that internal site issues likely exacerbated water runoff.

“There were 17 detention ponds within the project site. Several of these ponds had significant siltation and sedimentation due to uncontained surface runoffs from the YJ development area. Some ponds were also damaged, allowing runoff to spill over and affect downslope areas,” he explained.

The DENR itself, however, has drawn flak for issuing an ECC for the project.

ECC conditions

The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) also found the developer violated 10 of 33 ECC conditions, prompting a notice of violation and a stoppage order on Nov. 10.

“Each violation carries an administrative penalty of P50,000 under Presidential Decree 1586,” Llamedo said. “The failure to secure a discharge permit is a separate violation under the Clean Water Act, bringing the total to three separate legal breaches.”

Monterrazas is now at risk of charges under the Forestry Code (PD 705), the Philippine EIS System (PD 1586) and the Clean Water Act (RA 9275).

The DENR also questioned the adequacy of the project’s retention ponds, noting that only 12 were in place, far short of the 18,500 cubic meters needed to manage runoff – equivalent to seven Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Slater Young, a former TV personality and project partner, has remained silent since the controversy erupted.

In 2023, Young touted the development’s sustainability measures, including a hectare of greenery, rainwater collection and drip irrigation, claiming the project underwent over 300 design revisions for environmental safety and structural stability.

Environmental advocates, however, have warned that construction on Cebu’s mountain slopes reduces water absorption and increases landslide and flood risks.

Compliance review

Llamedo said the Monterrazas case triggered a broader review of other upland developments in Metro Cebu.

Amid the ongoing probe, the DENR urged engineers, architects and developers of highland projects to revisit outdated plans.

“I want to emphasize that it’s not just Monterrazas. The DENR is now reviewing other upland development projects. The EMB, DENR and MGB (Mines and Geosciences Bureau) are examining these projects to ensure accountability for any violations. We also want to raise awareness among developers so they understand the consequences if they fail to follow environmental laws and regulations,” Llamedo said.

“We are in a new normal,” Llamedo warned. “Drainage designs, detention systems and impact assessments must now consider rainfall volumes of 180 to 200 millimeters. Old plans are no longer sufficient.”

The DENR said it is also strengthening coordination with local governments and community groups to prevent similar disasters.

Case documents are being prepared for potential administrative and criminal charges.