The upscale mountain development “The Rise at Monterrazas” is the subject of public discussion following the widespread flooding that affected parts of Cebu City when a typhoon struck on November 3–4, 2025.
Several netizens have raised concerns online, expressing worries that hillside developments may have contributed to heavier runoff from upland areas toward low-lying communities.
However, it remains unclear whether the flooding can be directly linked to any specific project.
The discussion revived a 2023 Facebook post by lawyer Atty. Jesus Falcis, who had earlier raised environmental questions about the Monterrazas project.
In his post, Falcis addressed both the developer and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), urging transparency on sustainability measures.
“You said you want to make sure your design of Monterrazas: The Rise is as sustainable as possible because you are building on a mountainside. But how many hectares of trees and land will you be uprooting? How much rainwater can you really collect compared to what the trees and soil could naturally hold?” he wrote in 2023.
Falcis also referenced earlier hillside developments in Cebu, calling on regulators to ensure that all projects undergo proper environmental assessment before approval.
Following the recent floods, some social media users echoed similar sentiments. Among the comments shared online were:
“Hindi mo kasi makikita ang after effect kung gaano kalaki ang mapipinsala… ang tubig ay naghahanap lagi ng daan pababa sa dagat.”
“Kon ma semento na ang bukid, asa man di padong ang tubig?”
“Our green flag guy, being anti-green. Perfect 👏 I hated this project before, hated it more now. Thank you Slater!”
As of this writing, Slater Young has limited the comment section on his official social media pages amid the renewed attention.
He has yet to issue a statement addressing the latest discussions.
