DENR files criminal case vs Monterrazas for forestry code violation

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has filed a criminal case against the company responsible for the Monterrazas residential project in Cebu City.

The case, filed on December 3, 2025, is for violating Section 77 of Presidential Decree No. 705, or the Revised Forestry Code, concerning the unlawful possession of implements used by forest officers.

This violation carries a penalty of two to four years imprisonment, a fine ranging from P1,000 to P10,000, confiscation of items, and the automatic cancellation of permits or licenses.

Previously, in November, the DENR had identified three violations related to the construction of the high-end residential project and its retention pond.

One significant violation noted was the drastic reduction of trees from over 700 to just 11, despite a permit being issued for tree cutting.

The Monterrazas project is also accused of violating Presidential Decree 1586, which governs the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System, and failing to secure a permit under the Clean Water Act.

The company also did not comply with 10 of 33 conditions set under its environmental compliance certificate (ECC), particularly regarding water retention ponds, siltation and runoff management.

The DENR itself has come under fire for issuing the ECC.