THE recent devastation brought by Typhoon Tino in Cebu has reignited public scrutiny over the controversial Monterrazas de Cebu, a mountainside luxury real estate project associated with content creator and civil engineer Slater Young.
Netizens and environmental advocates have resumed heated discussions, questioning why the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) initially granted an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) to the project, despite its high-risk location.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS RAISED
Atty. Jesus Falcis, a vocal environmental lawyer, raised pointed questions about the project’s so-called “sustainable” design.
Among his concerns:
How many hectares of mountainside and greenery were actually removed for the development?
What is the impact of excavation and clearing on the soil’s natural ability to absorb rainwater?
Was a thorough environmental impact assessment conducted, and who approved it?
Falcis criticized the DENR for continuing to allow the reclassification of mountain areas for residential development, despite clear risks of flooding and landslides.
A HISTORY OF CONTROVERSY
The Monterrazas project has faced multiple hurdles. Its development permit was revoked twice: first in 2008 by then-Mayor Tomas Osmeña after a landslide in Guadalupe, and again in 2011 by Mayor Mike Rama, who issued a cease-and-desist order to prevent flooding in lowland communities.
The ECC, however, had already been issued in 2007 by DENR officials Engr. William Cuñado, Engr. Alan Arranguez, and Engr. Armando Malicse, who later became associated with Manila Bay reclamation projects and was involved in Ombudsman complaints alleging corruption.
“People raised these issues years ago, yet they went largely unheard,” Falcis noted. “The current flooding is not just a matter of nature; it is a consequence of mismanagement and systemic failures, including flawed and allegedly corrupt flood control initiatives.”
In August 2023, Falcis publicly called out Slater Young and the DENR on Facebook, asking specific questions about Monterrazas’ impact on Cebu’s mountains and water systems.
He questioned the true scale of land clearing, the capacity of the project’s rainwater systems compared to natural absorption by trees and soil, and whether prior projects, such as Guadalupe Heights, were considered in environmental assessments.
He also challenged the DENR on its policies for classifying mountain areas for residential construction.
SLATER YOUNG’S RESPONSE
In September 2023, defending Monterrazas de Cebu on Instagram.
He explained that the project underwent more than 300 design revisions, involving architects, engineers, and sustainability experts, to meet “best practice” standards.
He emphasized ongoing engagement with environmental advocates and promised transparency in the project’s development.
Yet, public skepticism persisted, particularly due to the project’s visual resemblance to Banaue rice terraces and concerns over Cebu’s vulnerability to typhoons, echoing the impact of Typhoon Odette in 2021.
TYPHOON TINO’S IMPACT
Fast forward to November 4, 2025, Typhoon Tino, the country’s 20th tropical cyclone this year, battered Cebu with maximum sustained winds of 150 km/h and gusts up to 205 km/h, accompanied by heavy rainfall that caused severe flooding across the province.
Many online observers immediately revisited the Monterrazas controversy, questioning whether mountainside developments like Slater Young’s project might have worsened water runoff and flood risks.
THE LARGER DEBATE
The controversy surrounding Monterrazas de Cebu underscores broader issues of environmental accountability, urban planning, and the true meaning of sustainable development.
While the project is just one example, it highlights how unchecked construction, regulatory gaps, and infrastructure mismanagement can increase disaster risks for communities below.
As discussions continue online, Slater Young has limited his comments to brief updates on Facebook and Instagram, emphasizing a commitment to transparency while avoiding deeper engagement with public criticism.
Meanwhile, environmental advocates insist that the Cebu floods serve as a cautionary tale: sustainable development is more than a marketing tagline; it is a responsibility with real consequences for both mountains and communities below.