CCENRO denies issuing tree-cutting permit for Monterrazas

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) has denied issuing any tree-cutting permit for the controversial Monterrazas de Cebu development in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City.

Engr. Editha Peros, CCENRO head, told The Freeman that her office has not released a single tree-cutting permit for the project since she resumed office last year.

“Sa pagka karon, nangayo pa ko ug copy sa report,” Peros said, referring to the alleged violations reported by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

“Sa amoang side, wala man mi nadawat na tree-cutting application sukad pagbalik nako sa CCENRO last year,” she added.

The DENR reportedly found several violations committed by the developer, including the cutting of more than 700 trees.

Peros also said Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival has requested a copy of the DENR’s findings and that the city is now coordinating with the agency for clarification.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Building Official (OBO) said it has not found any violations so far.

OBO chief Architect Florante Catalan said the developer has secured all necessary permits from their office.

“Wala pa man sila nag-start og construction gyud siguro, nagkawt pa man na sila. So wala pa mi’y makitang violations,” Catalan said, emphasizing that DENR and OBO oversee different aspects of regulation.

The Monterrazas issue was among the topics raised during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing yesterday, where Senator Risa Hontiveros questioned DENR-Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Central Visayas Director Victoria Abrera over the issuance of a revised Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) for the development.

“Who turned a blind eye in the DENR and DENR-EMB to grant this ECC?” Hontiveros asked, citing years of warnings from stakeholders about the dangers of hillside development.

DENR officials said the project, which began in 2006 and obtained its original ECC in 2007, underwent a full environmental impact assessment before the revised ECC was issued in 2024.

The ECC amendment, requested in 2022, included “The Rise,” a planned 20-level residential tower.

Abrera explained that the structure follows the natural terrain rather than rising as a traditional high-rise.

“Hindi siya matatawag na floors, levels po siya… sa contour parang houses lang siya,” she said, adding that only one or two levels have been built so far.

However, the DENR flagged multiple violations. According to DENR Region 7, the project's retention ponds—intended to control runoff—are insufficient. The agency also cited the absence of a discharge permit and the cutting of more than 700 trees, with only 11 reportedly remaining, as violations of the Revised Forestry Code and the Philippine Clean Water Act.

A viral video taken during the onslaught of Typhoon Tino showed floodwaters surging down from the project site, heightening fears of landslides and putting the development under renewed public scrutiny.

Senator Hontiveros questioned whether the project’s design may have been flawed from the start.

“Isang fragile na location, na pinutulan ng mga puno. Baka fatally flawed ang design, hindi lang ang completed design,” she said.

The DENR earlier reported that Monterrazas violated 10 of 33 ECC conditions and warned that administrative and criminal charges may be filed. Investigations are also underway into other hillside developments in Cebu that may have contributed to recent flooding.

As of press time, CCENRO and OBO are awaiting further clarification from the DENR, while residents and environmental advocates continue to demand transparency and accountability.

Former Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) chief geologist Liza Manzano likewise expressed concern over heavy infrastructure development on karst terrain, warning of potential sinkholes and slope instability. (CEBU NEWS)