Monterrazas defends project with P100M flood mitigation investment

Developers of the Monterrazas de Cebu project said they have invested more than P100 million in flood-control initiatives both within and outside the development area, as concerns over the project’s impact on downstream communities continue to fuel calls for a temporary suspension of construction activities.

The statement from Monterrazas came a day after Cebu City Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña urged the City Government to halt all construction work at the hillside development until authorities can verify that all water catchment and flood-mitigation facilities have been completed and are fully operational.

Osmeña has maintained that developers should demonstrate the effectiveness of their flood-control measures before additional earthmoving and construction activities are allowed to proceed.

He has expressed concern that unfinished mitigation systems could contribute to flooding in neighboring communities, particularly in Barangay Guadalupe and other downstream areas.

In response, Monterrazas said it has undertaken extensive flood-control projects aimed not only at managing runoff within the development but also at addressing long-standing drainage challenges in surrounding communities.

According to the company, one of its major completed projects is the rehabilitation of Quijada Road, which involved a P60-million investment to improve the one-kilometer roadway and upgrade its drainage infrastructure.

The project was completed in April 2025, ahead of the arrival of Typhoon Tino.

The developer also reported improvements to a critical drainage line in Guadalajara. The project involved upgrading a 200-meter section of drainage infrastructure and increasing pipe capacity from 450 millimeters to 1,500 millimeters.

Monterrazas said the expansion significantly improved the system’s ability to carry stormwater and reduce the risk of flooding during heavy rainfall.

Beyond drainage rehabilitation, the company has invested in pumping systems designed to address flooding in low-lying areas where gravity-based drainage alone is insufficient.

Monterrazas said an independent drainage study conducted after Typhoon Tino identified Guadalupe Heights and Guadalajara as communities particularly vulnerable to flooding because water cannot easily flow out of the area through natural drainage channels.

As a result, the company allocated approximately P50 million for the study and the installation of pumped drainage stations intended to move floodwaters into the main drainage network more efficiently.

The developer said a pumping station in Guadalupe Heights is already operational. Following Typhoon Tino, the facility’s capacity was expanded from three pumps to six pumps.

Monterrazas reported that the upgraded system contributed to reducing floodwaters during heavy rains experienced on June 3.

Plans are also underway for the construction of a similar pumping station in Guadalajara as part of the company’s broader flood-mitigation efforts.

To address another factor that contributes to drainage problems, Monterrazas said it is funding a dedicated garbage collection unit in Barangay Guadalupe.

The initiative aims to reduce the buildup of waste in waterways and drainage systems, which can obstruct water flow during storms and heavy rainfall.

Within the Monterrazas development itself, the company reported the completion of 24 detention ponds designed to temporarily store runoff during intense rain events.

The detention ponds have a combined storage capacity of 62,710.5 cubic meters, according to the developer.

Monterrazas said this exceeds the 26,701 cubic meters required under the project’s approved flood-mitigation plan and represents approximately 240 percent of the required storage volume.

Company officials acknowledged that concerns about flooding remain a major issue for residents living near the development.

“We know that whenever heavy rains come, many families in the surrounding communities worry about the possibility of flooding. We hear those concerns, and we understand the anxiety that comes with them,” said Marie Camille Bondad, general manager of Mont Property Group.

Bondad said the company remains committed to further investments in flood-control infrastructure and continued collaboration with government agencies and affected communities.

She added that flooding in the area is influenced by multiple factors, including watershed conditions, limitations in downstream drainage systems, waste management concerns and increasingly intense rainfall events.

The debate over Monterrazas’ flood-mitigation measures has intensified in recent weeks as city officials, residents and developers continue to discuss the project’s potential impact on surrounding communities.

While Osmeña has pushed for a construction halt pending verification of flood-control facilities, Monterrazas maintains that substantial investments have already been made to reduce flood risks and improve drainage capacity both inside and outside the development area.

The issue is expected to remain under close scrutiny as local authorities evaluate the effectiveness of the project’s flood-control measures and determine whether additional safeguards or regulatory actions are necessary.