The Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) has begun taking steps that could lead to the forfeiture in favor of the national government of several hectares of land reclaimed without the required permits along the Taguig side of Laguna Lake.
Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson disclosed the development on Sunday, August 9, saying the PRA had confirmed the initial findings of his office that the Taguig City government did not secure the necessary authorization before undertaking reclamation activities.
“They are moving toward an investigation that would lead to a PRA board resolution to start the process toward forfeiture proceedings,” Lacson said in an radio interview.
Lacson said reclamation projects conducted without approval from the appropriate regulatory authority could result in the affected property being taken over by the national government.
“If reclamation is undertaken without a permit from the PRA, which is the agency mandated to regulate reclamation and issue the necessary permits, the logical conclusion is that the land should be forfeited in favor of the national government. And the PRA confirmed that there was not a single permit,” he said.
The senator acknowledged claims that the reclaimed areas are being used for the benefit of local residents, as asserted by Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, but maintained that such use does not exempt the projects from regulatory requirements.
“The PRA said the city government did not secure a single permit,” he added.
Lacson has previously accused the Cayetanos of portraying years of what he described as continuous and unauthorized reclamation along the Taguig portion of Laguna Lake as flood control and mitigation projects.
He argued that even if the reclaimed land is considered government-owned, as claimed by the city government, the local government remains required to obtain approvals from the PRA, the Laguna Lake Development Authority and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
“The local government still cannot do reclamation work without the needed reclamation permits,” he said.
The former Philippine National Police chief pointed to Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s tenure as Sorsogon governor as an example of how similar undertakings should be carried out. According to Lacson, Escudero obtained the necessary permits from the relevant government agencies, including the DENR, before proceeding with reclamation projects in the province.
“Some portions of the lands where multipurpose buildings and parks are being built could be owned by the LGU. But even the LGU cannot reclaim land without the needed permits, or the land will be forfeited in favor of the national government,” he added.
Lacson also recalled that the PRA’s earlier investigation into the Taguig reclamation was stopped after the former Senate president allegedly pressured agency officials during deliberations on the Office of the President’s budget in November 2025. The PRA operates as an attached agency of the Office of the President.
He said Cayetano had called PRA officials to his office and warned that the deliberations on the presidential office’s budget could be blocked.
“Cayetano threatened to have the deliberations on the OP’s budget suspended, so they were pressured and the investigation was stalled,” he recalled.
Lacson said the investigation has since resumed, with the PRA now pursuing the matter more actively.
“The investigation was stalled but now the PRA is very enthusiastic. I am not sure if the PRA will generate revenue once the land is forfeited in favor of the national government,” he added.
The senator said the PRA must still establish the precise size of the area that could be subject to forfeiture. He noted that previous records indicated that around 47 hectares had been reclaimed, while another 37 hectares were reportedly added more recently.
He also said PRA personnel encountered difficulties in inspecting the area because they were allegedly being monitored. Lacson recounted that one agency official managed to obtain a broader view of the reclamation after taking his children to a street-food event in Taguig and launching a drone from the area.
Meanwhile, Lacson said his team has so far gathered documentation involving at least 32 allegedly questionable flood control projects in the area. The effort is being undertaken in coordination with the PRA and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).