Slater Young shows his Monterrazas de Cebu project. ARCHIVE

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has launched an investigation into Monterrazas de Cebu, a hillside residential development by celebrity engineer Slater Young, following growing public outrage over its alleged role in the catastrophic flooding caused by Typhoon Tino. A composite team from DENR Region 7, the Environmental Management Bureau and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau conducted an on-site inspection on Friday (November 7) to check for potential violations of the project’s Environmental Compliance Certificate. Authorities said they are examining the project’s drainage and slope protection systems, slope stability, erosion signs, and proximity to timberland areas. The developer has been ordered to submit an Engineering, Geological, and Geohazard Assessment for verification. DENR warned that sanctions—including project suspension or legal action—could follow if violations are confirmed. “We are committed to balancing development with environmental protection,” the agency said in a statement, adding that updates will be released once the technical evaluation is completed.

Public backlash

The investigation comes amid an online storm targeting Young, whose project “The Rise at Monterrazas” sits on the slopes of Barangay Guadalupe, one of the worst-hit areas in Cebu. After Typhoon Tino unleashed torrential rains and floods that submerged parts of Cebu, Mandaue, and Talisay, netizens accused the hillside project of aggravating runoff and flooding. “It never floods in Guadalupe. But when Monterrazas started construction in 2007, it slowly started flooding already,” one resident wrote online. “How can you live with knowing your project caused deaths and destroyed lives?” another commenter added, using the hashtag #FreedomForCebu. Young and his wife, influencer Kryz Uy, have since turned off comments on their social media accounts. As of press time, Young has not issued a public statement regarding the controversy. In earlier interviews, Young defended the project’s design, saying it was inspired by the Banaue Rice Terraces and aimed to “work with nature, not against it.” “It's not fit to be on the mountainside. It doesn't belong there,” Young said in Filipino in a previous vlog, explaining how the design was reimagined to follow the mountain’s terrain. He added that the complex includes a drip irrigation system that collects rainwater for reuse, minimizing maintenance costs and promoting greenery. Despite these claims, critics remain skeptical, pointing to widespread erosion and runoff after Typhoon Tino’s heavy rains.

Cebu under state of calamity

Cebu City has been placed under a state of calamity since November 5, following massive flooding and landslides across the Visayas. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), 188 people have died, 135 are missing, and 96 others injured due to the typhoon. Governor Pamela Baricuatro described the flooding as “unprecedented,” saying, “We were expecting the winds to be the dangerous part, but it’s the floodwaters that devastated our communities.” Philippine Red Cross official Gwendolyn Pang said rescuers struggled to reach residents trapped on rooftops as waters rose overnight. While many continue to point fingers at Young’s project, others say the blame should not rest on one developer alone. “To blame all this flooding on Monterrazas is the perfect scapegoat the government wants you to think,” one netizen argued, saying poor urban drainage and planning were long-standing issues. CAM/PIA/Expat Media
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