Albie Casiño Calls Out Slater Young over The Rise at Monterrazas Project Amid Cebu Floods (NH)

Albie Casiño pinuna ang proyekto ni Slater Young matapos ang pagbaha sa Cebu

Albie Casiño Calls Out Slater Young over The Rise at Monterrazas Project Amid Cebu Floods

Introduction

In early November 2025, the Philippines faced one of the most severe flooding events in Cebu Province due to Typhoon Tino. Beyond the loss of life and property damage, the disaster raised urgent questions about environmental responsibility and urban planning. The spotlight quickly turned to the hillside real estate project, The Rise at Monterrazas, led by actor-turned-engineer Slater Young in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City.

In this tense climate, actor Albie Casiño publicly demanded explanations from Slater Young regarding the project and its potential role in exacerbating flooding. This article examines the flood, the project, Albie Casiño’s public criticism, Slater Young’s responses, government reactions, and the broader implications for urban development, environmental management, and public safety.

1. Cebu Floods: Scope and Impact

In early November 2025, Typhoon Tino swept through the Visayas region, causing heavy rainfall and severe flooding in Cebu City and surrounding areas.

Hundreds of residents were displaced, with significant property damage.
Flooding was especially severe in low-lying barangays, prompting scrutiny over hillside development and its potential contribution to water runoff.
The disaster exposed vulnerabilities in infrastructure and urban planning, including drainage systems, slope stabilization, and watershed management.

2. The Rise at Monterrazas: Project Overview

The Rise at Monterrazas is a hillside residential project in Barangay Guadalupe.
Key details:

Introduced in 2023, designed with “terraced steps inspired by Banaue rice terraces.”
Slater Young, a former reality show winner and licensed engineer, is the project’s public face.
The developer asserts that only a small portion of the hillside is occupied, with no prior dense forest removed.
The project underwent multiple design adjustments to comply with environmental regulations.

3. Environmental and Community Concerns

Before the floods, the project faced criticism:

Land leveling may reduce natural water absorption and alter runoff patterns.
Residents warned that hillside construction could increase landslide and flash flood risks.
Questions emerged over environmental permits, drainage systems, and geological risk assessments.

4. Social Media Reaction and Public Opinion

Following the flood, the project became a hot topic online:

Many users blamed hillside developments for worsening the flooding.
Environmentalists, lawyers, and concerned citizens shared posts analyzing potential runoff issues.
The project’s high-end image contrasted sharply with the suffering of downstream communities, fueling public debate.

5. Albie Casiño’s Public Criticism

Albie Casiño publicly addressed Slater Young:

On November 7, 2025, Albie tagged Slater on Instagram, noting that previous warnings about flooding risks had been ignored.
He referenced Slater’s earlier statements about “listening to feedback” and remarked:

“Check the comments. Weren’t you supposed to be listening? Now it seems very quiet, Slater.”

Albie acknowledged sharing AI-generated images predicting damage but emphasized:

“I may have used AI, but that doesn’t mean the damage isn’t real!”

6. Slater Young’s Response

Slater Young has not made a new public statement following the floods.
Previously, he claimed the project complied with regulations, underwent multiple design revisions, and did not remove forests.
Social media responses were limited, fueling speculation about his public silence.

7. Government Response: DENR and DPWH

On November 7, 2025, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) formed an investigation team in cooperation with Cebu City officials and Barangay Guadalupe.
The scope of inspection: environmental compliance, drainage systems, slope stabilization, hillside safety, and forest impact.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) also reviewed flood mitigation and infrastructure measures in the area.
Violations could result in suspension, administrative fines, or legal consequences.

8. Technical Concerns: Hillside Stability and Water Management

Key issues include:

Hillside development reduces natural water infiltration, increasing surface runoff.
Potential landslide risks if slope protection is insufficient.
Drainage systems must prevent downstream flooding.
Soil excavation and slope clearing can cause erosion, sedimentation, and blocked waterways.

9. Broader Implications: Urban Development, Environmental Management, and Safety

Tension arises between luxury hillside projects and downstream community safety.
Environmental management gaps remain, even with environmental compliance certificates.
Extreme weather due to climate change reduces the safety margin for hillside projects.
Public backlash reflects concerns over inequality: high-end developments may endanger vulnerable populations.
Transparency and accountability from developers and authorities are essential.

10. Resolution and Lessons Learned

DENR and DPWH continue to investigate; findings will determine accountability and corrective measures.
Slater Young may face reputational and legal risks if violations are confirmed.
Communities require improved drainage, slope stabilization, and early warning systems.
Future hillside projects must adhere strictly to geological and hydrological assessments.
Transparent environmental evaluations and responsiveness to public concerns are key lessons.

Conclusion

The Cebu flood following Typhoon Tino has turned the debate over urban development and environmental responsibility into a national conversation. Albie Casiño’s public call for accountability underscores the importance of transparency and responsibility from high-profile developers and government agencies.

While no official conclusion has been reached regarding The Rise at Monterrazas, the incident highlights that hillside projects must carefully consider terrain, water flow, and downstream community safety—especially in an era of increasingly severe natural disasters.

Cebu’s Urban Flooding Crisis: Causes and Consequences
Hillside Development in the Philippines: Risks and Regulations
Typhoon Tino’s Impact: Lessons for Disaster Preparedness
Celebrity Developers and Public Responsibility in Real Estate
Albie Casiño Speaks Out: Social Media Accountability in the Philippines