Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña is standing firm on his opposition to the Monterrazas de Cebu project despite the City Council’s decision not to issue a cease-and-desist order (CDO), insisting that the developer must prove the project will not worsen flooding in Barangay Guadalupe.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, April 9, Osmeña acknowledged the council’s position that flooding “cannot be solely attributed to any single development,” but said this does not remove accountability from the project.
“This is not a criminal trial, this is a matter of public safety. The burden of proof is not on the City Government to establish that Monterrazas is the cause of the flooding. The burden falls on the developer to prove that their project WILL NOT worsen flooding. And they have not,” Osmeña said.
He added that he has opposed the project since 2008 and maintains the same stance.
Osmeña’s remarks came after the City Council, through a resolution authored by Councilor Jose Abellanosa, ruled that a cease-and-desist order is “not warranted” at this stage.
In Resolution No. 17-3083-2026, the council cited inspection findings and technical briefings indicating that flooding in parts of Barangay Guadalupe is driven by multiple long-standing factors rather than a single development.
These include drainage limitations, with some pipes measuring only 450 mm to 600 mm, tributary inflows, and clogged waterways due to improper waste disposal.
“Flooding incidents… are the result of multiple contributing factors… and cannot be solely attributed to any single development in the area,” the resolution stated.
At the center of the issue are ongoing earthmoving activities at the Monterrazas site, which raised concerns over runoff and environmental impact.
However, inspections by the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) and findings from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) pointed to the construction of detention ponds as part of flood mitigation efforts.
At least 22 detention ponds, with a combined capacity of about 62,468 cubic meters, have been built or enhanced to regulate water flow and reduce downstream flooding.
The DENR-EMB described these as a “vital component” of flood management, warning that halting the project mid-construction could leave the system incomplete and potentially increase risks for low-lying communities.
While the council declined to support a shutdown, it noted that Mont Property Group Inc. has yet to secure certain permits, including a Special Hauling Permit under City Ordinance No. 2115.
The developer has since begun complying with requirements and expressed willingness to fully adhere to city regulations.
The council also called for stricter compliance and the submission of more detailed hydrological studies, stressing that long-term flood mitigation will require both improved infrastructure and responsible development. (LLP
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