CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival has welcomed the City Council’s decision not to issue a cease-and-desist order (CDO) against the Monterrazas development project, citing the need to balance regulation with economic activity despite lingering flood concerns.
“The council has its own reasons, and I would not object,” Archival said during a press conference.
The mayor noted that flooding in affected areas cannot be attributed solely to the Monterrazas project, citing reports that point to multiple contributing factors. Instead of stopping the operations, he emphasized the need for corrective measures, particularly the installation of water catchment systems to mitigate flood risks.
“If Monterrazas is being asked to implement certain measures, then it should comply,” he said, adding that shutting down developments without sufficient basis could disrupt the city’s economic activity.
The issue centers on a disputed road or right-of-way within the Monterrazas subdivision, as residents and local officials continue to seek clarity on its impact on flood-prone communities, particularly downstream areas such as Barangay Guadalupe.
However, Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña took a firmer stance, warning that upland developments like Monterrazas may worsen flooding by accelerating rainwater flow toward low-lying areas.
Osmeña stressed that the issue is one of public safety, saying developers must ensure their projects do not exacerbate flood risks in downstream communities. He explained that road construction and land alteration can act as channels that rapidly direct water downhill, potentially overwhelming existing drainage systems.
“There was no problem before. The problem began after the development,” he said.
He also questioned the adequacy of the project’s flood control measures, particularly its detention ponds, noting that reported overflows suggest they may be insufficient.
“Clearly, it’s not big enough,” Osmeña said, adding that detention ponds must effectively slow water flow to prevent flooding.
The vice mayor warned that if severe flooding recurs, he would push for stronger action, including efforts to halt the project.
“If there’s another heavy rain and serious flooding occurs, I will work very hard to cancel the entire project,” he said.
The Cebu City Council earlier approved a resolution stating that a CDO against Monterrazas was not warranted, citing findings from environmental and technical agencies that flooding in affected areas stems from multiple factors, including drainage limitations and urban conditions.
Councilor Dave Tumulak, chairman of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC), said the council’s position allows the project to proceed, provided the developer complies with recommended corrective measures.
These include improvements to drainage systems, strengthened environmental safeguards, and additional flood mitigation structures such as impounding or detention areas.
“It doesn’t mean they can continue without limits—they have to comply first,” Tumulak said.
| Written by Jose Luis Flores, CTU Tuburan Intern/FPL
