Following Deadly Flooding Cebu, DPWH Chief Vince Dizon Speaks on Controversial Monterrazas Project
DPWH Chief Vince Dizon spoke on The Rise at Monterrazas project by celebrity Engineer Slater Young following the deadly flash flood in Cebu.
Cebu was left greatly-devastated by Typhoon Tino. The heavy rainfall brought by Tino caused the dams to overflow in some parts of the province leading to massive flash flood. Many residents had to climb the rooftops of their houses to avoid the rising floodwater.
Amid the wrath of Typhoon Tino, the floodwater has reached the roof of the single-storey houses. The death toll due to Typhoon Tino has climbed 140 with 127 individuals still missing. Search and rescue operations are ongoing in the flood-torn cities in Cebu.
Countless families lost their homes to the massive flooding and the strong winds brought by the typhoon. Many of them are currently staying in evacuation centers. Many Filipinos are disappointed by what happened and question the flood control projects in the province.
Cebu Governor Pam Baricuatro previously stressed that there was a P26-billion flood control funds for the province but they’re still flooded. According to her, most of the flood control projects in her province since 2019 are allegedly either ghost or substandard.
Amid the massive flash flood in Cebu that killed many people, the name of celebrity engineer Slater Young as well as his controversial The Rise at Monterazzas project sparked abuzz on social media. Previously, the unique condominium development that was inspired by the rice terraces was involved in an issue that it may possibly cause flooding.
Slater Young who is the engineer of The Rise at Monterazzas project has yet to issue a statement. He and his wife, Kryz Uy, have also limited the comments on their social media posts. Recently, DPWH chief Vince Dizon spoke on the said project following the deadly flash flood in Cebu.
Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, DPWH chief Vince Dizon claimed that The Rise at Monterazzas project is being studied on based on what he knows. According to him, a project that may affect the nature should secure a permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
“Alam ko, pinag-aaralan na ngayon ‘yan. Simple lang naman ‘yan, kapag ang isang proyekto ay nakakasama sa kalikasan lalong-lalo na sa waterways o dun sa watershed na pumoprotekta sa ating waterways e kailangan talaga dapat ‘yan bago ipinapatayo e dapat nakakakuha ‘yan ng tamang permiso sa DENR at Environmental Management Bureau,” DPWH Chief Vince Dizon said.
Based on the report, the DENR may initiate an investigation on The Rise at Monterazzas amid the rumors that the project could have allegedly contributed to the massive flooding in the city at the height of Typhoon Tino’s wrath. On the flood control projects, DPWH chief Vince Dizon said that it is clear that the flood control projects in the province in the past 10 years are allegedly not effective.
“Iniimbestigahan na ho natin kasama ng [Independent Commission on Infrastructure] ang mga proyekto na ginawa d’yan simula 2016 hanggang 2024-2025,” he said.