MANILA — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has halted projects in Taguig City linked to alleged unauthorized reclamation along Laguna de Bay, as government agencies move to investigate questions over reclaimed lakeshore properties reportedly covered by land titles.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said cease-and-desist orders were issued on Aug. 20 upon instructions from the Office of the President coursed through the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA).
The suspension came amid allegations that portions of Laguna de Bay had been illegally reclaimed and subsequently titled, an issue recently raised by Sen. Panfilo Lacson.
Dizon said the controversy has prompted coordination among concerned national government agencies and the Taguig City government.
“I think nagpatawag na ng meeting ang iba’t ibang stakeholders, kasama na ang City of Taguig plus MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority) and PRA,” Dizon said.
Lacson earlier questioned several projects in Taguig in connection with the alleged unauthorized reclamation activities along the lakeshore.
He claimed that four parcels of allegedly reclaimed land had been covered by titles that were fraudulently issued.
The parcels reportedly cover 9,204 square meters, 5,000 square meters, 181,077 square meters and 193,027 square meters.
Combined, the four properties span 388,308 square meters, or about 38.83 hectares.
The allegations have drawn a sharp response from Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, who rejected them as politically motivated and lamented that Taguig City and its public programs were being dragged into the controversy.
“May timing ang lahat. But my point is ‘yung pinagdadaanan namin halimbawa ngayon, tapos dinadamay pa ‘yung mahal naming city at saka ‘yung mga public programs,” Cayetano said during a Facebook Live./PN
