MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has ordered the suspension of projects linked to alleged illegal reclamation activities along the Taguig side of Laguna de Bay, intensifying scrutiny over infrastructure works that have become the subject of mounting questions and government investigations.
Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said Sunday that the department had already issued a cease-and-desist order on August 20, following instructions coursed through the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA), which is under the Office of the President.
The order comes as government agencies and lawmakers continue examining allegations involving reclamation activities and infrastructure projects in Taguig’s lakeshore area.
Questions Surround Taguig Lakeshore Projects
The controversy has been building for weeks after Senator Panfilo Lacson raised allegations involving questionable flood-control, slope-protection and reclamation-related projects in the area. Earlier reports said the alleged unauthorized reclamation could cover at least 80 to 85 hectares, although the findings and allegations remain subject to ongoing government review and investigation.
Lacson has also called for the possible forfeiture of areas found to have been reclaimed without the required permits, while the Land Registration Authority has been reviewing the history of land titles connected to portions of the disputed area.
In the latest developments, Lacson said several parcels were being examined over questions surrounding their titles. These claims, however, have yet to result in a final judicial determination.
Projects Worth Hundreds of Millions Under Scrutiny
A previous report cited by GMA News showed that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) had flagged projects in the Taguig lakeshore area as early as October 2025.
Among the projects identified in the report were:
- A flood-control project in Barangay Lower Bicutan worth P94 million;
- A multipurpose building project at the Lakeshore Complex worth nearly P50 million;
- An “improvement of Laguna Lakeshore area” project worth about P94 million; and
- Two flood-mitigation structure rehabilitation projects worth approximately P141.8 million each.
The projects are now part of the broader questions being examined over whether proper coordination, permits and environmental requirements were followed.
LLDA: Coordination and Clearances Are Required
The Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) has said that the Taguig City government did not coordinate with the agency regarding the projects cited in the reports.
LLDA officials have emphasized that public consultation and the necessary certificates and clearances are required before construction can proceed in areas under the authority’s jurisdiction.
Dizon said stakeholders—including the Taguig City government, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, and the PRA—were expected to discuss the issues surrounding the projects.
Investigation Widens as Accountability Questions Grow
The suspension marks a significant escalation in the controversy surrounding the Taguig lakeshore. What began as allegations over questionable infrastructure projects has expanded into broader concerns involving reclamation, environmental compliance, land titles and the use of public funds.
Taguig officials and Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, whose political family has been drawn into Lacson’s allegations, have previously denied accusations of wrongdoing. Cayetano has maintained that allegations against his camp would be answered and has denied knowledge of alleged ghost projects.
For now, the cease-and-desist order does not by itself establish criminal liability or prove that illegal reclamation occurred. Those questions will depend on the findings of the relevant government agencies and any subsequent legal proceedings.
But with projects now halted and multiple agencies examining the lakeshore, the bigger question remains: What will the government’s investigation ultimately uncover—and who, if anyone, will be held accountable?
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