Developer to present flood mitigation plans

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas (DENR-7) will discuss the environmental violations of a high-end subdivision developer in a technical conference next week.

Genvi Development Corp., the developer of Monterrazas de Cebu project, will present the precautionary measures they will take to correct the violations, said lawyer Fernando Alberca, DENR-7 legal division chief.

Alberca said the developer will also sign a commitment to comply with DENR recommendations within an agreed timeline, which will be set in the technical conference.

Failure to comply will result in the revocation of their ECC, closure of the project, suspension of the developer and payment of fines.

The DENR’s Environment Management Bureau issued a notice of violation to the developer last Aug. 4 after they failed to comply with requirements for their Environment Compliance Certificate.

The notice cited the developer’s failure to manage areas with loose soil that are prone to movement, provide temporary drainage, sumps and diversion ditches.

The EMB inspectors also said the developer failed to install slope protection measures like ripraps, set an environmental enhancement fund and a P3.2-million budget for proposed mitigating measures during the construction and operational phases.

The DENR also recommended to the developers to introduce soil erosion prevention measures in the areas and build more viable catchments covered by the development.

The firm was advised to conduct Environmental Risk Assessment for the project and coordinate with adjacent subdivisions, barangay officials and the city engineer’s office to solve drainage problems.

The 200-hectare Monterrazas de Cebu offers lots for sale in an elite subdivision overlooking the city but has struggled with drainage and flooding.