The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has issued cease-and-desist orders against developments linked to the alleged unauthorized reclamation of portions of Laguna de Bay in Taguig City, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed on Sunday, August 30.
Dizon stated that the directives were served on Thursday, August 20, following orders from the Office of the President executed via the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA).
“We already issued the CDOs, as ordered by the Office of the President through the Philippine Reclamation Authority. Kasi ang PRA, under the Office of the President ‘yan,” Dizon told reporters during an inspection in Marikina City.
“So, nag-issue na kami [ng CDOs] noong August 20,” he added.
The DPWH chief noted that a multi-agency meeting involving the Taguig City government, the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), and the PRA will be convened to address the ongoing concerns surrounding the projects.
“Nagpatawag na ng meeting ang iba’t ibang stakeholders kasama na ang City of Taguig plus LLDA and PRA,” he said.
“Let’s just discuss it kung ano ba talaga, kung mayroong mga problema dyan. Aalamin natin kung ano ‘yung way forward. But lahat ‘yan, effective immediately,” Dizon added.
The enforcement follows revelations from Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on August 10, who disclosed that the PRA intends to forfeit any unapproved reclaimed land in Taguig—whether managed by private entities or the local government—in favor of the national government.
Lacson noted that the DPWH and PRA agreed to halt ongoing slope protection and mitigation activities after uncovering 32 suspicious or potential “ghost” projects in the area.
According to Lacson, these joint findings contradict earlier online denials made by Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano.