THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has launched a joint investigation into the Monterrazas de Cebu Project to assess its compliance with environmental laws and identify potential risks, including landslides and flooding, in the area.
This action follows public outcry and renewed scrutiny of the project after recent deadly flooding in Cebu caused by Typhoon Tino.
The DENR, in a statement released on Friday, revealed that the joint investigation team comprises technical experts from its Central Visayas office and regional units, including the Environmental Management Bureau, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office of Cebu, and the province’s local government.
The team has already commenced its on-site investigation and is tasked with examining several key aspects of the project, including:
- The project’s compliance with the conditions of its Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) 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 waterways.
The DENR has also ordered the project proponent to fulfill its obligation to report its Engineering, Geological, and Geohazard Assessment.
“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,” the agency stated.
The Monterrazas de Cebu Project, a hillside development located on the slopes of Barangay Guadalupe and unveiled in 2023, has faced renewed criticism online following the deadly flooding in Cebu caused by Typhoon Tino. Critics have blamed the project, spearheaded by celebrity engineer Slater Young, for potentially worsening the disaster.
Young has previously defended the project, asserting that it underwent over 300 design revisions to ensure environmental safety and structural stability and that it was approved by relevant government agencies. As of this writing, Young has not yet issued a statement regarding the latest controversy surrounding the Monterrazas development.
