DPWH halts alleged illegal reclamation projects in Taguig

MANILA, Philippines — Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon said the agency has issued cease-and-desist orders against alleged illegal reclamation projects linked to Laguna de Bay in Taguig City.

He said the orders were issued on Aug. 20 upon the directive of the Office of the President through the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA), and the orders were effective immediately.

READ: DPWH set to halt Taguig City reclamation projects – Lacson

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“Let’s just discuss it if there is any problem there; then let’s determine the way forward,” Dizon told reporters in an interview.

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He also said a meeting had been scheduled with stakeholders, including the Taguig City government, PRA, and the Laguna Lake Development Authority.

Senator Panfilo Lacson earlier said that during his meeting with Dizon, the secretary guaranteed that the orders would be issued once the agency received the PRA’s request.

READ: Lacson flags 4 ‘fraudulently’ titled parcels of reclaimed land in Taguig

Lacson previously said that reclamation activities may threaten the Laguna Lake ecosystem, where garbage that was supposed to end up in the Rizal provincial sanitary landfill ends up there.

Last Saturday, Lacson also disclosed that four parcels of allegedly illegally reclaimed land in Taguig City were flagged with “fraudulently” issued titles and will be turned over to the Office of the Ombudsman for investigation. He noted that the parcels covered areas ranging from 5,000 to 193,027 square meters /mcm