City Council questions report on Monterrazas development

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council has returned the Technical Infrastructure Committee’s (TIC) report on the Monterrazas de Cebu development in Barangay Guadalupe for further technical scrutiny after the body raised doubts about its recommendations to allow the project to continue despite unresolved flood risks.

During the regular session last Tuesday, Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña challenged the TIC’s assessment of detention pond capacity, warning that runoff from the 118-hectare estate could reach over 300,000 cubic meters in extreme rainfall events similar to Typhoon Ruping (1990).

The TIC report, however, stated that current detention capacity stands at 62,710.5 cubic meters, projected to increase to 76,230.5 cubic meters once additional ponds are completed.

Councilors Dave Tumulak, Paul Labra, and Sisinio Andales also questioned why the committee recommended continuation of the project despite admitting that further technical investigation was necessary.

The TIC’s official resolution (No. 2026-008) detailed its fact-finding inspection of Monterrazas, which spans 14 catchment areas.

The committee noted that runoff is managed through detention ponds discharging into creeks such as Kinalumsan and Linao, with culverts ranging from 1500 mm to 450 mm in diameter.

For example, Catchment 01 (Montelago) had seven ponds with a combined capacity of 27,483 cubic meters, exceeding the required 8,220 cubic meters.

Similarly, Catchment 06 (Monterrazas Prime 2) had nine ponds totaling 20,267.5 cubic meters, discharging through a 1200 mm culvert into a flood-prone creek near White Hills and Forest Hill subdivisions.

The committee emphasized that its findings were fact-finding only, not a definitive conclusion on the causes of flooding in Guadalupe.

It acknowledged that other subdivisions, such as Grand Legacy and areas near Bethany Christian School, lacked detention ponds, contributing runoff to the same drainage systems.

The TIC recommended allowing Monterrazas’ ongoing projects to continue, citing engineering measures already in place, but stressed that further hydrological studies were needed.

Flooding in Guadalupe has long been a contentious issue.

While Monterrazas’ ponds exceed mandated standards, downstream flooding is aggravated by undersized city drainage pipes, altered waterways, and older subdivisions without retention facilities.

In November 2025, Typhoon Tino caused widespread devastation in Cebu, with critics pointing to upland developments as exacerbating factors.

Joint inspections in 2026, however, verified that Monterrazas’ detention ponds held more than three times the required volume, suggesting compliance with safety standards.

The issue has also taken on a political tone with Mayor Nestor Archival “resisting” calls for a cease-and-desist order against Monterrazas, prompting accusations of conflict of interest due to his family’s property holdings within the development.

A complaint has been filed before the Ombudsman alleging grave misconduct and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act against Archival.

Councilor Mikel Rama moved to send the report back to the TIC to address unresolved issues and provide clearer recommendations.

The council then pushed for a cease-and-desist order until detention pond capacity and drainage impacts are fully validated. — /IHM (FREEMAN)