DENR files case vs Monterrazas project in Cebu City

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said Wednesday it has filed a criminal case against the company behind the Monterrazas residential project in Cebu City.

“For the Monterrazas case, we already filed a criminal case on December 3, 2025, for violation of Section 77 of Presidential Decree No. 705 or the Revised Forestry Code against the corporation,” DENR Assistant Secretary for Legal Affairs and Enforcement Atty. Norlito Eneran said at a press conference.

The violation pertains to the unlawful possession of implements and devices used by forest officers.

This is punishable by two to four years in prison, a P1,000 to P10,000 fine, confiscation of the items, and automatic cancellation of permit or license.

In November, the DENR initially identified three violations committed with the construction of the high-end residential project and its retention pond. 

One of the violations that the agency identified was out of over 700 trees in 2022, only 11 remain after a tree-cutting permit was obtained for the project.

The project allegedly violated Section 77 of Presidential Decree 705, Revised Forestry Code of the Philippine 1975 and the Presidential Decree 1586 or the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System, according to the DENR.

It added that Monterrazas also allegedly failed to acquire a discharge permit in accordance with the provisions of the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004.

The agency said the planned centralized retention pond and 15 additional structures meant to capture rainwater are still considered inadequate.

Monterrazas had also allegedly violated ten out of 33 Environmental Compliance Certificates or ECCs, the DENR added.

GMA News Online reached out to Mont Property Group for comment and will publish it once available.

In November, Mont Property Group, the developer of the upscale hillside residential development Monterrazas de Cebu, denied that it cut down 700 trees. 

“The claim that Monterrazas 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,” it said.

“Pursuant to our approved Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) and Development Permit, only shrubs and secondary undergrowth were cleared to facilitate the necessary earthworks,” it added.

The company explained that the duly submitted Environmental Impact Statement (ES) to the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB)-DENR Region VII “even reflected that the site was predominantly covered by grass, shrubs, and small plants, with minimal to no topsoil, and the area could not support agricultural activity and was characterized mainly by non-woody vegetation.”

The mountainside residential project, designed by celebrity engineer Slater Young,  faced public backlash amid claims that the development exacerbated flooding in Cebu City during the heavy rains brought by Typhoon Tino.

Mont Property Group said that the flood-stricken areas fall under completely different drainage basins and natural waterways.

“We are likewise aware of the misinformation circulating online that incorrectly attributes the widespread flooding across Cebu to our development. While we acknowledge the localized flooding observed in our vicinity and continue to coordinate with the proper authorities, it is important to clarify a simple geographic reality,” the property developer said.

“Monterrazas de Cebu is located in Barangay Guadalupe, which is several kilometers away from the heavily flood-stricken areas in Liloan, Mandaue, and Talisay, which unfortunately suffered the most severe impacts,” it added. —AOL, GMA Integrated News