Cebu City mountain barangays ‘a cause for concern’

Local

CEBU City Mayor Nestor Archival warned that the city’s upland areas are “a cause for concern.”

He cited a near-fatal landslide in Barangay Bacayan and disputed reports of massive tree loss in Monterrazas as signs of deeper problems in hillside development.

Archival, in a press conference on Monday, Nov. 17, admitted he has yet to receive a full report from the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) regarding the alleged cutting of more than 700 trees inside the Monterrazas de Cebu development. But he said what he has seen so far warrants tighter scrutiny.

“Sa tinuod lang, wala pa gyud ko kadawat sa report nila, but I read in the news that there were 700 trees. Pero niingon ang Monterrazas, wala. Wala pa gyud ko. But ang ako gyud, whatever recommendation na ila gitan-aw nga makaya sa syudad, ato gyud na i-impose nila,” the mayor said.

Asked if he could confirm whether the city issued a tree-cutting permit to the developer, Archival responded: “I don’t think so.”

He added: “In fact, niingon sila nga wala daw trees, so unsay putlon?”

The mayor also clarified that he has not met with the developer regarding the matter.

Archival’s remarks came days after a 25-year-old man survived a landslide that buried their home in Sitio Central, Bacayan.

The landslide was traced to soil and debris that collapsed from the high fence of a subdivision built on the slope above the affected houses. While no fatalities were reported, the incident triggered heightened concern over upland developments across the city.

When asked directly if such incidents are now cause for concern, Archival replied that he has already instructed city departments to investigate ongoing earth-moving activities.

“In fact, niadto ko sa Bacayan gahapon. Nakita nako naay mga trucks gikan sa usa ka subdivision naghákot ug materials. Ako giingnan ang CCENRO i-check ang tanang developers and hatagi ko’g report, especially kung maghimo og quarry o i-flat ang yuta because na-alarm ko ana.”

The mayor stressed that while development is expected, it must not come at the expense of the environment.

“Ang pag-develop gyud sa housing, ang usa pag-profit. But we should balance our development. Aside from profit, kinahanglan dili madaot ang kinaiyahan kay the moment you do it, mubalik gyud na nato.”

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) earlier confirmed that only 11 out of 745 trees documented in 2022 remain standing within the Monterrazas de Cebu property.

Assistant Regional Director Eddie Llamedo said the figure surfaced during a joint inspection last week, which also found that only 12 detention ponds were built, fewer than the 16 originally required.

The developer has denied cutting any trees, saying it only cleared shrubs and secondary undergrowth, and described the DENR’s pronouncements as “grievously false.”

A multi-agency investigation is ongoing.(TGP)