Despite a proposed moratorium on new upland developments in Cebu City raised on December 16, 2025, no executive order has been issued to enforce it, leaving existing permitting processes active during the rainy season.
On August 4, 2026, the Cebu City Council unanimously approved motions by Councilor Joel Garganera requiring Mayor Nestor Archival to submit a comprehensive 30-day report on the moratorium and watershed protection measures.
Mayor Archival directed the Department of Engineering and Public Works to assess upland developments and determine if they contribute to downstream flooding, while other council members proposed stricter flood-mitigation and stormwater requirements.
When heavy rains fall over Cebu City's mountains, the water has only one direction to go—downhill.
In healthy watersheds, forests, vegetation and permeable soil slow rainfall, allowing water to seep into the ground before gradually flowing into rivers. But as hillsides are cleared and paved for roads, subdivisions and other developments, more rainwater rushes rapidly into downstream communities, increasing flood risks.
To address those concerns, the Cebu City Council proposed a moratorium on new upland developments more than seven months ago. Yet despite repeated public commitments, no executive order has been issued to enforce it, leaving existing permitting processes in place as another rainy season unfolds.
The proposed moratorium was intended to temporarily halt new upland developments while the city reviews whether existing projects adequately protect watersheds and comply with environmental regulations.
Supporters argue that slowing additional construction would give the city time to reassess how development affects flooding, stormwater runoff and long-term watershed health before approving more projects.
Without an executive order or ordinance, however, government offices continue processing development applications under existing land-use regulations. As a result, site preparation, excavation, road construction and other development activities may continue where permits have been approved, even as the city reviews broader watershed policies.
The proposal was first raised on Dec. 16, 2025, when Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera in a resolution Mayor Nestor Archival to impose a moratorium on new upland developments while reviewing ongoing projects. Although the mayor publicly expressed support for the proposal the following day, no executive order has since been issued to formally suspend new developments.
That distinction is significant.
A City Council resolution may recommend or urge executive action, but regulatory agencies generally require an executive order or an enacted ordinance before they can suspend permits or alter existing approval procedures. As long as no such administrative order exists, development applications continue to be processed under the city's current rules.
The issue returned to the spotlight during the Cebu City Council's regular session on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026. Councilor Garganera delivered a privilege speech calling on the mayor to submit, within 30 days, a comprehensive report detailing what has been accomplished since the moratorium was first proposed.
The Council unanimously approved his motions seeking updates on the proposed moratorium, the review of existing upland developments, watershed protection measures, compliance with environmental regulations, climate resilience initiatives and major flood-control projects.
Garganera said the report would help determine whether the proposal had progressed beyond public announcements.
"Our constituents deserve to know what has been accomplished over the last 231 days and to be assured that government is acting proactively rather than merely responding after every flood," Garganera said.
Much of Cebu City's flood-control work has traditionally focused on localized engineering projects, including drainage improvements, river clearing and retention structures.
While these projects reduce flooding in specific areas, hydrologists and environmental planners have long argued that downstream infrastructure alone cannot fully offset the effects of widespread changes occurring across an entire watershed. As forests and open land are replaced with roads, rooftops and concrete, rainwater reaches rivers more quickly and in greater volumes, increasing pressure on drainage systems downstream.
For this reason, many planners consider watershed protection as important as flood-control infrastructure itself.
Garganera urged City Hall to consult hydrologists, watershed specialists, geologists, environmental planners and climate adaptation experts in developing long-term flood management strategies. He also sought updates on river easement clearing and the city's broader watershed management plans.
Mayor Archival said he has directed the Department of Engineering and Public Works to conduct another assessment of upland developments following the recent flooding.
According to the mayor, engineers have been tasked with:
Identifying waterways and drainage outlets
Determining whether developments have contributed to downstream flooding
Evaluating whether subdivisions have sufficient stormwater detention facilities
Older developments found to contribute to flooding could be required to install additional stormwater catchment systems, while newer projects with existing detention ponds will be evaluated to determine whether those facilities remain adequate.
Other city leaders also weighed in with their proposals. Councilor Phillip Zafra renewed his proposal to temporarily suspend new upland developments until developers can demonstrate adequate flood-mitigation measures, particularly stormwater impoundment facilities.
Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña backed the proposal, saying flood-control planning should be based on worst-case rainfall scenarios rather than moderate storms.
Councilor Harry Eran questioned the effectiveness of the City Mining Regulatory Board in overseeing upland developments.
Former Flood and Drainage Council vice chairman Atty. Jun Muntuerto said the city's long-term flood strategy should begin with protecting its watersheds.
"Watershed protection is like preventive medicine. It may not produce dramatic results overnight, but it addresses the root cause. Just as the best doctor treats the disease, not only the symptoms, the best flood policy restores the watershed while improving rivers and drainage," Muntuerto said.
He added that every development should improve—not diminish—the watershed's ability to slow, spread, soak and safely store rainfall before it reaches urban communities.
Eran agreed, saying the city should revisit its drainage master plan as repeated flooding across several districts underscores the need for a coordinated, watershed-wide strategy rather than isolated infrastructure projects.
The City Council has given the Office of the Mayor 30 days to submit its comprehensive report detailing what steps have been taken over the last seven months.
Until an executive order or another legally binding measure is signed into effect, the proposed moratorium remains unenforced. This allows current development approval processes to proceed, even as Cebu City faces another active rainy season and growing concern over how to balance urban growth with vital watershed protection. CAV