No stopping Monterrazas development?

Local

WORK on the Monterrazas development may continue.

This follows the Cebu City Technical Infrastructure Committee (TIC) recommendation to allow its existing and ongoing projects to proceed, citing engineering and operational measures intended to mitigate possible flooding risks downstream.

The recommendation was contained in a resolution that adopted the committee’s report on its fact-finding and technical deliberations concerning the Monterrazas development of Mont Property Group.

The resolution was endorsed to the Cebu City Council and included in the agenda for its regular session on Sept. 15.

The TIC conducted the fact-finding which called for a technical review of the development’s drainage and hydrological characteristics, including its catchment areas, water flow patterns, drainage outfalls, detention facilities, slope protection works, and road construction.

During an ocular inspection and subsequent deliberations, the committee reviewed the approximately 118-hectare property, which was described as having 14 identified catchment areas.

The report noted ongoing earthmoving, road construction, slope protection, and development activities in several portions of the property, including The Rise and Montelago.

Catchment 1, covering the Montelago area, was reported to drain toward Guadalajara and eventually into Kinalumsan Creek in Barangay Guadalupe.

Catchments 2, 3, and 4 were reported to have existing residents and ongoing house construction, with water flowing through detention ponds toward Lina Creek near Banawa Elementary School.

Catchment 5, where The Rise is being constructed, has its own detention pond, with drainage flowing through the Gervacio Quijada Street drainage system toward Linao Creek near Banawa Elementary School.

The committee also noted that the precise drainage route of Catchment 6 could not be fully traced during the ocular inspection, while Catchments 7 to 14 remained largely undeveloped but included proposed or existing slope protection, detention ponds, and road works.

The deliberations also covered flooding concerns in the Guadalajara area and possible runoff from other developments, including Grand Legacy subdivision and Bethany Christian School.

The report said some surrounding developments were reportedly without detention pond facilities.

However, the TIC emphasized that its proceedings were fact-finding and technical in nature and did not establish the cause of flooding in surrounding areas.

It also did not make a final determination that Monterrazas was solely or directly responsible for any flooding incident or condition.

The committee said determining the possible sources and extent of flooding and drainage impacts may require further technical investigation, hydrological assessment, and validation of drainage routes by the appropriate government offices and agencies.

The resolution further clarified that the TIC recommendation does not constitute an approval, clearance, permit, authorization, or certification of the Monterrazas development.

It also does not constitute a finding that the development does not contribute, directly or indirectly, to flooding or drainage conditions.(TGP)