Dennis Gasgonia

Article (news)

Andrea Taguines

ABS-CBN News

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said Friday it has formed a multi-stakeholder team to inspect and assess the environmental impact of Monterrazas de Cebu, an upscale mountainside condominium project in Cebu City. The move comes amid renewed public backlash against the project’s developers, including celebrity engineer Slater Young, as residents of Barangay Guadalupe and nearby communities at the mountain’s base blame the development for worsening floods during the onslaught of Typhoon Tino.In a statement, the DENR said the probe team began on-site inspections on November 7.It is composed of technical experts from DENR Region 7, the Environmental Management Bureau, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, and local officials from Cebu City and Barangay Guadalupe “to ensure a thorough and impartial review.” <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/7/dpwh-to-probe-monterrazas-cebu-flood-control-projects-from-2016-1232">DPWH to probe Monterrazas, Cebu flood control projects from 2016</a></div>The team is tasked to conduct a comprehensive on-site investigation to determine: •The project’s compliance with the conditions of its ECC (Environmental Compliance Certificate) and other environmental regulations •The effectiveness of its drainage, slope protection, and runoff management systems •The stability of slopes and potential risks of landslides and flooding •Possible alterations to the natural landform and proximity to timberland areas •Evidence of erosion, siltation, or obstructions in nearby tributaries and waterwaysThe agency also vowed to take correction action should it find any violation of environmental regulations. “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.According to Undersecretary Carlos Primo David, the DENR will also look into other similar hillside developments that may pose geological hazards.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/weather-traffic/2025/11/6/tino-s-extreme-rainfall-caused-cebu-flooding-pagasa-1443">Tino&#x27;s extreme rainfall caused Cebu flooding: PAGASA</a> </div>The local government of Cebu City had earlier suspended the Monterrazas project, after mudslides and flash floods hit settlements at the foot of the mountain in 2008 and 2011. Young had touted Monterrazas as a “sustainable project” inspired by the Banaue Rice Terraces, complete with its own rainwater collection tank and drip irrigation system.But residents living downhill tell a different story.‘MOCHA-COLORED FLASH FLOOD’Brown, murky water gushed through several communities in Barangay Guadalupe in Cebu City as Typhoon Tino lashed the province last November 4, 2025.Resident Carmela Getubig recalled how quickly the floodwaters rose, nearly trapping her family inside their home.“Lampas ulo (yung tubig). Mocha-colored waters na talaga. Everyone was panicking. ’Yung kapatid ko, sabi niya magpa-rescue na tayo kasi natatakot na kasi kami. Kasi may pamangkin din ako e, tapos may mga seniors din kami dito,” she said. Getubig and her neighbors believe the flash flood would not have been that intense if it weren’t for the ongoing Monterrazas project above them.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/11/6/storm-ravaged-cebu-province-got-p26-7-billion-in-flood-control-funds-over-last-3-years-0032">Storm-ravaged Cebu province got P26.7 billion in flood control funds over last 3 years</a> </div>“Kasi iba yung sustainability by design compared sa sustainability in reality. Yung takot namin every time na uulan is bumalik, ’yung anxiety namin, ’yung trauma namin nung 2011,” she said. But even if the project does get halted, Getubig is afraid that too much damage has already been done.“Kung hindi matuloy, anong mangyayari? Kung ipagpatuloy, ano din ang mangyayari? Parang we’re stuck. What we need right now is yung accountability talaga, that’s what we’re crying for— not just for destroying the mountains but (for) yung mga affected people din,” she said. ABS-CBN News has sought Young’s comment, but his camp has yet to respond.Although he has already previously defended the project back in September 2023, particularly &quot;The Rise at Monterrazas&quot; segment, insisting that it had secured an ECC from the DENR. Still, Young acknowledged concerns raised by the public, saying they remained open to engage with experts and environmental advocates.<div> </div><div> </div><div>  </div>

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said Friday it has formed a multi-stakeholder team to inspect and assess the environmental impact of Monterrazas de Cebu, an upscale mountainside condominium project in Cebu City.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said Friday it has formed a multi-stakeholder team to inspect and assess the environmental impact of Monterrazas de Cebu, an upscale mountainside condominium project in Cebu City.

DENR forms team to investigate Monterrazas De Cebu

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DENR forms team to investigate Monterrazas De Cebu

Andrea Taguines,

ABS-CBN News

Published November 07, 2025 10:54 PM PHT

Read More:

Monterrazas De Cebu

DENR

Slater Young

The Rise at Monterrazas

Bagyong Tino

Cebu City

Barangay Guadalupe

flash flood

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