Amid stop campaign, Monterrazas says it now has 24 working ponds

CEBU CITY, Philippines — As Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña campaigns for the issuance of a cease-and-desist order against the Monterrazas de Cebu project, its developer has informed the Cebu City Council that it has already completed work on all detention ponds, with their storage capacity now exceeding what regulators require.

In a June 15 letter, Mont Property Group Inc. said it had rehabilitated Monterrazas’ detention ponds, implemented flood-control measures, and constructed six additional ponds following commitments made to environmental regulators and the City Council.

The report directly addresses concerns raised by Osmeña, who has repeatedly argued that the city should halt most development activities until all water catchment facilities become fully operational.

READ: Archival sees no basis for Monterrazas CDO, says council ignored facts

“Pursuant to the commitments made during the meeting with the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Region VII on 13 November 2025, and in compliance with Resolution No. 17-3083-2026 dated 24 March 2026, the Mont undertook the required detention pond rehabilitation and flood mitigation measures and subsequently constructed an additional six (6) detention ponds,” the company said.

From 18 ponds to 24

According to Mont, Monterrazas de Cebu originally operated 18 completed detention ponds serving existing residential communities and ongoing development areas.

The company said it has since added six more facilities, bringing the total number of completed and operational detention ponds to 24.

“Following the construction of six additional detention ponds, a total of twenty-four (24) detention ponds have now been completed and are fully operational,” the report stated.

READ: Monterrazas project: Osmeña urges Archival to issue cease-and-desist order

The developer said the project covers about 118.4 hectares, divided into 14 catchment areas.

Based on approved drainage and flood-mitigation plans, those catchment areas require a combined detention capacity of 26,701 cubic meters.

Mont reported that the 24 completed ponds now provide a total storage capacity of 62,710.5 cubic meters, more than twice the required volume.

The largest capacities are located in Catchment Areas 1 and 6, which together account for nearly 48,000 cubic meters of storage.

Complete since January

Mont also told the council that all detention pond rehabilitation works and flood-mitigation measures had already been completed as of Jan. 30, 2026.

The company said it has continued submitting monitoring reports to the Environmental Management Bureau in Central Visayas (EMB-7), while furnishing copies to the Cebu City Council and Barangay Guadalupe.

“Subsequent submissions have been undertaken as part of the project’s continuing monitoring, maintenance, reporting, and compliance obligations to ensure the sustained effectiveness and proper operation of these facilities,” the letter stated.

READ: Monterrazas: Council moderates Tommy O’s stop push

The latest monitoring report, submitted on June 8, covered rainfall that occurred on June 3.

According to Mont, inspections conducted the following day found that all stormwater runoff generated within the project site flowed into the detention pond system as designed.

No significant issues reported

The company reported that inspectors found all 24 detention ponds in good condition following the rainfall event.

“All detention ponds were found to be in good condition, with water levels ranging from dry to low or non-critical levels, and with no significant erosion or sediment transport observed,” the report stated.

The findings, according to Mont, confirmed that the detention pond system functioned as designed during the monitored rainfall event.

CDO debate continues

The report arrives amid intensifying debate at City Hall over whether the Monterrazas project contributes to flooding in downstream communities, particularly Barangay Guadalupe.

Osmeña has repeatedly urged Mayor Nestor Archival to halt most development activities at the site until flood-control facilities prove effective.

He has argued that roads and other impervious surfaces accelerate stormwater runoff and increase flood risks for residents living below the development.

‘Not big enough’

“The detention ponds are obviously not big enough. There should be a cease and desist because you are putting people at risk,” Osmeña said in an earlier press conference.

The vice mayor has also warned that the city could face another disaster if authorities fail to take preventive action.

The City Council’s majority bloc, however, has thus far declined to endorse an immediate shutdown, citing technical findings from regulatory agencies and previous assessments that attributed flooding to multiple factors, including drainage deficiencies, tributary inflows, urbanization, and clogged waterways.

Archival has likewise rejected calls for a cease-and-desist order, arguing that available reports already show the developer has completed the required catchments and complied with environmental requirements.

For its part, Mont said it remains committed to complying with city resolutions and environmental regulations while continuing long-term monitoring and maintenance of its flood-control facilities.

“We trust that the foregoing sufficiently demonstrates the Mont’s continued compliance with its commitments and obligations,” the company said.

READ: Slater Young upset at ‘misinformation’ amid Monterrazas issue

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

Read Next