At least P3.713 billion in government projects have been completed, are ongoing or have been suspended along portions of the Laguna Lake shoreline in Taguig City that are now under scrutiny over alleged illegal reclamation, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Monday.
Lacson said the amount, based on official records and his team’s investigation, covers flood-control and multipurpose projects implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“Based on official records and our investigation, the total cost of identified completed, ongoing (and suspended) DPWH Flood Control and Multi-Purpose Projects along the ‘illegal’ Laguna Lakeshore Reclamation Areas in Taguig City has so far reached P3.713 billion,” Lacson said in a post on X.
The figure does not include other allegedly anomalous slope protection and flood mitigation projects along the Taguig River, which Lacson said involved double appropriations and “ghost” projects.
He claimed some of the projects used recycled photographs of supposedly completed works to support billing.
Lacson said his team would submit the latest findings to the Office of the Ombudsman’s fact-finding team for proper disposition.
Of the P3.713 billion, P2.372 billion was accounted for by projects awarded to five contractors, he said.
Dahl Construction accounted for P858.22 million from five solo projects worth P571.5 million and four joint ventures worth P286.7 million.
J.C. Uyecio was involved in four joint ventures totaling P483.1 million, while Toughbuilt handled three projects worth P434.2 million.
Topnotch was involved in three joint ventures totaling P329.9 million, while GR Fervidal had five multipurpose building projects worth P266.6 million.
All five GR Fervidal projects were suspended because of a “revision of plans” involving soil re-investigation, Lacson said.
The disclosure came after the DPWH issued cease-and-desist orders covering government projects connected to the questioned reclamation activities.
Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon earlier told Lacson that the department would stop the projects upon receiving the appropriate request from the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA).
Dizon later confirmed that the orders had been issued following a directive from the Office of the President coursed through the PRA.
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said the government could benefit if allegations concerning questionable land titles are proven.
Cayetano cited a 181,077-square-meter, or roughly 18-hectare, property that Lacson said had a title originating from a homestead patent.
“May isang nasa dyaryo kahapon na [nagsabi na may] 181,000 square meters o 18 hectares daw na ‘illegally titled.’ Sa isang banda po, nagho-hope din kami na totoo iyon. Bakit? Kasi kung totoong illegal iyon, sa gobyerno iyon [mapupunta], eh di may 18 hectares tayo ngayon para sa gobyerno,” Cayetano said.
He also welcomed the review of land titles in the area, saying Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano had long pushed for their examination.
“Katulad ngayon na gusto nilang tingnan lahat ng titulo, matagal na pong gusto ni Lani iyon,” Cayetano said.
The allegations and findings remain subject to government investigation and appropriate legal proceedings.
Comments