Cebu, a province defined by its stunning mountainous landscapes meeting the sea, is now the epicenter of a raging controversy that pits ambitious, high-end property development against critical environmental protection and public safety. At the heart of this national debate is “The Rise at Monterrazas,” an “eco-luxury” high-rise condominium project spearheaded by civil engineer and influential content creator, Slater Young. Designed with a visually striking, Banawe Rice Terraces-inspired concept, the project’s lofty claims of being “harmonious with nature” have been drowned out by a chorus of public fury, environmental alarms, and, most devastatingly, catastrophic flooding that has ravaged surrounding communities.

The controversy is more than a simple development dispute; it’s a high-stakes examination of accountability, regulatory compliance, and the true cost of building paradise on a precarious mountainside. The widespread public outcry, significantly amplified by social media and legal personalities, has forced the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to step in, launching a multi-stakeholder investigation that could potentially halt or even dismantle the ambitious project.

The Genesis of Controversy: Building Luxury on a Precipice
“The Rise” is situated within the expansive 200-hectare Monterrazas de Cebu development in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City. Slater Young, known nationally as a former Pinoy Big Brother winner turned successful entrepreneur, became an industry partner in 2019 under 8990 HDC, taking the lead on this specific condominium project.

The broader Monterrazas de Cebu development has a controversial past. It secured an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) from DENR Region 7 way back in 2007. However, its history is marked by instability; records show the area faced suspensions or cease and desist orders in 2008 and 2011 due to alarming incidents of landslides and erosion. These events instilled deep fear among residents in the lower-lying barangays, suggesting that the site’s stability has always been questionable.

Slater first publicly unveiled “The Rise” in August 2023, showcasing an architectural vision that features only 146 low-density residential units for high-end buyers. The design—with its cascading terraces, glass facades, and abundant landscaping—was consciously marketed to embody an “eco-luxury” concept, drawing inspiration from the ancient wisdom of the Banawe rice terraces.

Despite receiving initial praise for its innovative design, the project immediately triggered extensive criticism from seasoned environmentalists and architectural experts. The primary, chilling concern focused on the project’s hazardous location on a slope, specifically highlighting the dangers associated with “slope cutting” and the possibility of “topographic amplification,” which could dangerously intensify the effects of strong winds and earthquakes. These technical warnings, combined with the bitter memory of Cebu’s severe flooding during Typhoon Odette in 2021, laid the volatile groundwork for the current crisis.

Slater Young’s Defense: Compliance and Calculated Mitigation
Facing the initial wave of scrutiny, Slater Young staunchly defended his “passion project.” He emphasized his belief in the project’s integrity and his commitment to developing a structure that was, indeed, “harmonious with nature.” He argued that the terracing style is a widely used and accepted practice both domestically and internationally.

Slater went on the offensive against accusations that the construction would exacerbate future flooding, asserting that his team conducted meticulous studies based on historical rain data and rain density. To address surface water runoff, he detailed plans for comprehensive flood mitigation measures, including the installation of a large rainwater tank and a detention pond. These structures, he explained, are designed to temporarily hold large volumes of rainwater, preventing sudden, overwhelming surges that cause flooding downstream, while the collected water could be reused for irrigation.

He repeatedly assured the public that the project was operating under a valid ECC from DENR-EMB and committed to transparency by listening to feedback and providing regular updates. Furthermore, his team sought high-level environmental validation, pursuing BIRDE certification from the Philippine Green Building Council and consulting with the United Architects of the Philippines. In a clear nod to the project’s innovative design, “The Rise” even earned a prestigious jury award at the 12th Architizer A+ Awards in 2024.

However, in the court of public opinion, no certificate or award could outweigh the tangible impact of the next major storm.

The Reckoning: Typhoons, Social Media, and the Call for Accountability
The turning point was the arrival of Typhoon Tino. When the storm unleashed devastating floods across Cebu, the abstract concerns about the Monterrazas project instantly became concrete, tangible anger.

Netizens and affected residents wasted no time, directly accusing Slater Young and the Monterrazas development of being the direct cause of the severe flooding, particularly in the lower-lying Guadalupe area. The shared sentiment was that the flooding had noticeably worsened ever since the construction—which formally began in 2007—had resumed and intensified. The calls for immediate accountability spread like wildfire across social media platforms.

Specific, high-profile critiques cemented the public narrative:

Atty. Jesus Falsis galvanized opinion by tweeting a video of the active construction site, using the powerful, evocative line “Paved Paradise to put up a parking lot” to characterize the environmental destruction of the natural mountainside.

Atty. Alfredo Garido published a searing Facebook post, titled “Cebu City Reaping the Wind,” which directly blamed both “The Rise” and the Cebu City officials responsible for granting the permits, predicting “perpetual flooding” for the entire province as a result of this development decision.

Alvy Casinho used Instagram stories to personally call out Slater for his silence amidst the widespread damage, referencing past ignored warnings and urging the engineer to finally heed public feedback.

The sheer volume and conviction of these accusations transformed the issue from a local development concern into a national environmental crisis demanding immediate government intervention. The narrative shifted from judging the design to condemning the consequences.

DENR Steps In: A High-Stakes Multi-Stakeholder Investigation
The public pressure, combined with the clear evidence of devastating post-typhoon flooding, compelled the DENR to take decisive action. The agency formed a high-level, multi-stakeholder team to formally investigate and inspect the entire Monterrazas de Cebu project.

This investigation team comprises technical experts from the DENR Central Visayas office, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Cebu, and the local government units. The mandate of the team is comprehensive and stringent:

Compliance Verification: Scrutinizing the project’s adherence to its existing ECC.

Structural Assessment: Evaluating the effectiveness of the current drainage and slope protection systems.

Stability Analysis: Assessing the overall soil stability of the mountainside.

Impact Study: Determining the potential effects of erosion and siltation on nearby natural waterways.

Landform Review: Examining any significant changes to natural landforms and the proximity of the construction to designated Timberland areas.

In a crucial procedural step, the DENR ordered the project proponents to immediately submit detailed engineering, geological, and geohazard assessments for independent verification. The agency’s message was clear: penalties, including project suspension or legal action, could be imposed if any violations of environmental law are found.

As of the transcript, the public eagerly awaits the findings of the technical evaluation, which the DENR promised to release promptly. The agency firmly reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring balanced development and environmental protection. The absence of an official statement from Slater Young regarding this latest, formal DENR probe—and reports of him and his wife, Kryz Uy, being seen at the airport—only fueled further public speculation that the couple might be attempting to avoid or “escape” the immense gravity of the situation. The true fate of “The Rise at Monterrazas” now rests in the hands of science, law, and a nation demanding environmental justice.