DENR lifts cease order vs Monterrazas de Cebu

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has lifted the cease of operations order against the Monterrazas de Cebu project, which was blamed for the extreme flooding during Typhoon Tino last year.

The agency’s Environmental Management Bureau in Central Visayas said that the project proponent, The Mont Property Group Inc., has implemented corrective measures required under its Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).

EMB Central Visayas regional director John Edward Ang noted the stoppage was lifted on the basis of documented remedial works, compliance milestones and settlement of penalties imposed under Presidential Decree 1586, for violation of ECC conditions.

Ang said that the project proponent has constructed and enhanced 23 detention ponds with a combined capacity of approximately 52,468 cubic meters.

The EMB said that the ponds are engineered to contain and regulate surface runoff, attenuate peak flows and help mitigate potential flooding impacts on downstream communities.

It added that the on-site inspections verified pond excavation, embankment stabilization, inlet and outlet control structures, sediment traps and site stabilization measures such as vegetative cover and erosion-control blankets.

“While the structural measures represent a meaningful step toward reducing flood risk, continued monitoring and maintenance are essential to ensure long-term effectiveness,” Ang said.

The bureau has instructed the proponent to submit as-built drawings, operation and maintenance plans and hydrologic monitoring data, and has required a regular maintenance schedule for sediment removal, vegetation management and structural inspections.

“EMB (Central Visayas) recognizes the importance of timely remedial action to protect communities and the environment,” Ang said.

“The detention ponds and associated measures represent a meaningful step toward mitigating flood risk, but continued monitoring and maintenance are essential to ensure long-term effectiveness,” he added.

Among the next steps they will implement are the monitoring of detention ponds’ performance during rainfall events and review of hydrologic data submitted by the proponent.

They will verify as-built drawings, operation and maintenance plans and monitoring reports to confirm that the works conform to permit conditions and engineering specifications.

The proponent has been instructed to implement a regular maintenance schedule for sediment removal, vegetation management and structural inspections.