Council to Archival: What happened to proposed upland development moratorium?

Local

AFTER months of recurring floods that continue to inundate communities across Cebu City, the City Council is pressing Mayor Nestor Archival Sr. to explain what has become of a proposed moratorium on new upland developments that he publicly supported more than seven months ago.

Councilor Joel Garganera urged the mayor's office to account for the actions taken since December 2025, when the council first called for a citywide moratorium on new upland development and a comprehensive review of existing projects to protect watersheds and reduce flooding.

Garganera, chairman of the Committee on Environment, noted that 231 days have passed since he first proposed the moratorium and 230 days since Archival publicly expressed support for reviewing upland developments and stopping projects found to be violating environmental laws.

"The rainy season has once again put those warnings to the test," Garganera said in a privilege speech delivered during Tuesday's regular session.

He pointed to the recent flooding that submerged several parts of the city, arguing that the recurring problem is no longer simply the result of heavy rainfall but also of environmental degradation, inadequate watershed protection, poor river management, and the lack of sustained long-term interventions.

"We cannot expect different results if there is no meaningful intervention," he said.

Through his privilege speech, Garganera asked the Office of the Mayor to submit, within 30 days from receipt of the resolution, a comprehensive report detailing all actions undertaken since December 16, 2025 regarding the proposed upland development moratorium.

The report would cover executive actions, policy directives, technical studies, inter-agency coordination, and other measures adopted to protect the city's watersheds and mitigate flooding.

The councilor also sought updates on whether the city has engaged hydrologists, watershed specialists, geologists, environmental planners, climate adaptation experts, or other technical consultants in crafting Cebu City's long-term flood management and watershed protection strategies.

Garganera further questioned the status of the city's efforts to recover the legally mandated three-meter river easements, particularly along portions of the Estero de Parian where clearing operations had previously begun.

He said the apparent slowdown in the program also warrants an explanation.

According to Garganera, flood control should not be measured solely by emergency response after storms but by how effectively the city prepares before disasters occur.

"These questions are not intended to assign blame. They seek accountability, transparency, and progress," he said.

The proposed moratorium was first raised by Garganera in December 2025 amid growing concerns over upland development and its possible contribution to flooding in low-lying communities.

At the time, Archival publicly welcomed the proposal, saying the city needed to review upland activities and issue cease-and-desist orders against developments found to be operating without the required permits or in violation of existing laws.

However, the council has yet to receive a formal update on the status of the proposed moratorium or the review of ongoing developments.

Earlier this week, Archival said the city is once again reviewing upland developments following renewed concerns over flooding.

During a press conference, the mayor said he has tasked the Department of Engineering and Public Works with reassessing drainage patterns, waterways, and developments in the upland areas.

The review, he said, will identify which subdivisions, institutions, or major developers may be contributing to flooding downstream.

Archival explained that older subdivisions were generally built without water catchment facilities, while newer developments are typically required to install stormwater catchment systems.

The city plans to evaluate whether existing catchment facilities are sufficient and require additional mitigation measures where necessary.

If engineering assessments determine that older developments need water catchment structures to reduce runoff, the city will require developers to construct them, he said.

For newer developments that already have catchment systems, the city will inspect whether these facilities are functioning properly or need to be expanded to lessen their impact on downstream communities.

The issue has gained renewed urgency following several flooding incidents in Cebu City this rainy season, which affected residential areas, disrupted traffic, and renewed public calls for stronger watershed protection and stricter regulation of upland development.(TGP)