Cebu city: The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has initiated both criminal and administrative proceedings against the Monterrazas project in Cebu City due to extensive tree cutting activities.

According to Philippines News Agency, DENR Assistant Secretary for Legal Affairs and Enforcement Norlito Eneran confirmed during a press briefing in Quezon City that a criminal case was filed on December 3, 2025, against the corporation for violating Section 77 of Presidential Decree No. 705, known as the revised Forestry Code. This charge comes in the wake of the DENR’s 2022 tree inventory, which noted 745 trees present in the project area, whereas a recent inspection revealed only 11 trees remaining.

DENR Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna emphasized that the complaint is backed by substantial evidence, including satellite imagery and the 2022 inventory. This counters claims by the Mont Property Group, which asserted that no trees were cut and only shrubs and secondary undergrowth were cleared for necessary earthworks.

In addition to criminal charges, Eneran stated that an administrative case has been filed against Monterrazas for failing to meet 10 out of the 33 conditions outlined in its Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC). The DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) had previously flagged the Monterrazas development project for violations of the Clean Water Act and the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System, resulting in a notice of violation and a stoppage order.

Further investigations revealed that several detention ponds, designed to manage stormwater runoff, were either damaged or heavily silted. This led to uncontrolled surface runoff that exacerbated flooding in downstream communities during Typhoon Tino in Cebu.

In another environmental concern, the DENR updated on cases filed against Universal Robina Corp. (URC) for a molasses wastewater spill in Bais Bay and Manjuyod, Negros Oriental, which impacted marine areas and local livelihoods in November. The complaint, filed on November 21, cited violations of the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (E-NIPAS) Act.

Eneran mentioned that penalties for these violations could range from fines to imprisonment of up to 12 years. Additionally, a pending case is under review by the Pollution Adjudication Board, with fines for Clean Water Act violations still being calculated.

Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla noted that tourism and fishing activities have resumed in the affected areas following the dilution of pollution levels by three successive typhoons in November. However, he stressed the importance of preventing similar incidents in the future through collaboration with stakeholders.