As of April, the Cebu City Council has resolved to lift the cease-and-desist order on the Monterrazas de Cebu project, saying a shutdown was not warranted after the developer complied with required measures and coordinated with authorities.

The decision followed investigations into flooding in Barangay Guadalupe, which found that while the project contributed to surface runoff, the problem was also caused by inadequate drainage systems and narrow pipes in downstream areas.

The developer has constructed 22 detention ponds with a combined capacity of 62,468 cubic meters to manage runoff. The project will remain under strict monitoring, with directives to sustain compliance and further improve flood mitigation measures.

Monterrazas de Cebu is a 200-hectare hillside development covering multiple barangays in the city.

Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña said developers bear responsibility for public safety, stressing that the project must prove it will not worsen flooding in Guadalupe.

“This is not a criminal trial; this is a matter of public safety,” Osmeña said, adding that the burden of proof lies with the developer.

The council also noted that recent flooding incidents cannot be attributed to a single development and called for long-term solutions to address broader drainage issues.