Developer denies 700 trees cut for Monterrazas project

Local

MONTERRAZAS de Cebu on Saturday, Nov. 15, rejected government claims that over 700 trees vanished from its estate.

The developer said it supports a full, impartial probe into concerns revived by the flooding caused by Typhoon Tino.

MONT Property Group, the estate’s developer, said it welcomes all reviews by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and reiterated its commitment to environmental safeguards across its hillside projects.

“We are committed to working with the agency to ensure the highest standards of environmental integrity and community safety across Cebu's hillside developments,” the firm said.

The company, however, strongly objected to preliminary DENR statements linking the project to massive tree cutting.

“We must, however, categorically refute premature pronouncements by the DENR regarding alleged tree-cutting activities. The claim that Monterazzas de Cebu cut down more than 700 trees is grievously false, and we are confident that any evidence that may be presented to assert this narrative can easily be disproven,” the developer said.

It added that only shrubs and undergrowth were cleared in accordance with its Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC). Its Environmental Impact Statement described the area as dominated by “grass, shrubs, and small plants, with minimal to no topsoil.”

The developer also rejected claims circulating online that the project aggravated the flooding seen in several localities during Typhoon Tino. The estate sits in Barangay Guadalupe, the company said, which is “several kilometers away” from hard-hit Liloan, Mandaue, and Talisay.

“To put this in context, it would be akin to suggesting that a development in Tagaytay City caused flooding in Makati City. The locations, watersheds, and flow paths simply do not intersect,” it said, noting that it acknowledges only localized flooding within its surrounding area.

Monterazzas said its drainage structures exceed regulatory requirements, citing detention pond capacity of 40,413 cubic meters versus the 26,701 cubic meters required by the DENR, or a 51 percent increase over the mandated standard.

The DENR’s initial findings paint a conflicting picture. DENR-7 Assistant Regional Director Eddie Llamedo said a joint inspection last week found that only 11 of the 745 trees recorded during a 2022 inventory by the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office remain standing inside the development site.

“May ginawa na tree inventory ang CCENRO noong 2022 kung saan naitala ang 745 na mga puno. Sa initial interview na isinagawa noong Biyernes, lumalabas na 11 na lang ang natitirang puno mula sa orihinal na mahigit 700 puno,” Llamedo said in an interview by Teleradyo.

He emphasized that cutting trees without a permit remains a punishable offense under Section 77 of Presidential Decree 705, regardless of land classification.

The same inspection also found that the developer constructed 12 detention ponds, fewer than the required centralized system, and 15 additional structures with a combined capacity of 18,500 cubic meters.

“Ang nakita lang namin is 12 detention ponds. Hindi po siya sapat,” Llamedo said, pointing out that Typhoon Tino produced 183 millimeters of rain—equivalent to roughly one million barrels of water—well beyond what the ponds could contain.

Llamedo explained that Cebu’s mountain slopes became private lands after a presidential decree in 1985 allowed portions of Cebu and Benguet with more than 18 percent slope to be classified as alienable and disposable.

Even so, he said developers remain legally bound to maintain open spaces, green infrastructure, and nature-based safeguards.

A multi-agency team composed of DENR-7, EMB-7, MGB-7, PENRO Cebu, CENRO Cebu City, Barangay Guadalupe, and the Cebu City Government continues to assess slope stability, drainage performance, compliance with the ECC, and any alterations to natural waterways.

The DENR earlier flagged potential violations, including possible ECC non-compliance and missing permits under the Clean Water Act.

The Cebu City Hall is conducting its own inspection.

Mayor Nestor Archival confirmed that he tasked the Cebu City ENRO and Mines and Geosciences Bureau to assess drainage systems, slope protection, and other compliance issues following numerous complaints from residents.

“There are so many complaints. That’s why we sent them to address the concerns,” he said.

The Monterrazas development has long been the subject of public scrutiny. Previous phases of the project were halted in 2008 and 2011 after flooding and soil movement.

Those concerns resurfaced last week when residents reported “mocha-colored” water rushing down from the mountain at the height of Typhoon Tino.(TGP)