Development in upland areas: Archival supports moratorium

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival has expressed his support for the City Council's proposed moratorium on the issuance of new permits for upland developments.

The proposal, filed last week by Councilor Joel Garganera, chairman of the City Council's committee on the environment, seeks to suspend new permits for quarrying, slope cutting, and construction in the mountain barangays. This suspension will remain in effect until compliance with environmental safeguards and flood control measures is ensured.

The mayor affirmed his agreement with the Council’s position but clarified that while new applications should be stopped, projects already approved under previous administrations must be reviewed.

In his regular press conference yesterday (Dec. 22), Archival said he will issue a memorandum to department heads, particularly the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) and the zoning office, directing them to submit reports on new upland projects and to verify compliance.

“Maghimo kog memorandum sa mga dept. heads, especially sa CCENRO and zoning. Kinahanglan muhatag sila nako’g report sa mga development nga bag o unya, especially didto sa kabukiran. Second, e verify ni nila,” he explained.

He recalled that even before the recent typhoon, he had already issued cease and desist orders in September covering three areas—two in the northern uplands and one in the south.

“So mao ni akong gipatan aw karon. Then again, before gyud ‘ni sa bagyo, September pa ‘to … nga hunungon ang quarrying sa bukid,” Archival said.

“Moratorium means hunungon sa nato … Ang kato’ng dawaton nato ang ilang gi apply but let’s look into the possibility nga hunungan na ta. Katong mga development nga gitagaan nag permits sa previous admin … akong ipa-tan aw nila’ng gituman ba nila ang unsay gi restrict didto and unsay dapat nilang buhaton,”Archival added.

Garganera earlier warned that unchecked upland activities have eroded watersheds and river systems, worsening downstream flooding.

He described Cebu’s uplands as “like the moon with many craters,” pointing to years of slope cutting and quarrying that left the terrain vulnerable. His resolution seeks to halt new permits until a technical team can review zoning ordinances, environmental safeguards, and risk assessments.

Archival stressed the importance of catchment systems in upland developments, noting that some may have been built improperly or only on paper.

Proper catchments, he said, allow water to recharge the water table and be used for gardens instead of flowing directly downhill, which helps minimize flooding in low lying areas.

The mayor said the directive must be carried out immediately, though the full picture may only be clear by the second or third week of the new year (2026).

For now, the Mayor acknowledged that concerned departments are tied up with year-end reports and documents needed for the release of employees’ bonuses.

With both the Council and the mayor now aligned, Cebu City is moving to pause upland activities until compliance with environmental safeguards is assured.

Officials warn that any delay in enforcement could leave mountain communities exposed and lowland residents vulnerable to worsening floods, underscoring the urgency of acting before another storm tests the city’s defenses.  — RAE (CEBU NEWS)