No ghost projects: DPWH, not Taguig City, behind reclamation projects under scrutiny, agency says

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), not the Taguig City government, is the implementing agency behind controversial reclamation activities along Laguna Lake, officials from the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) clarified Tuesday.

The clarification emerged during a Senate Finance Subcommittee hearing on the PRA’s proposed 2027 budget, where Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano pressed the agency over a cease-and-desist order (CDO) issued against the Taguig Lakeshore project.

Under questioning by Cayetano, PRA Assistant General Manager Atty. Joseph Literal confirmed that the DPWH is the actual proponent of the Taguig Lakeshore initiative.

"Sino ang proponent ng mga cinease-and-desist niyo sa Taguig?" Cayetano asked.

"DPWH," Literal replied.

Literal initially attributed the larger Laguna Lake Road Network (LLRN) project to the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), but later corrected his testimony following Cayetano's intervention, confirming that the DPWH also serves as its implementing agency. The LLRN spans an area roughly 10 times larger than the Taguig Lakeshore project.

When Cayetano asked whether the LLRN fits the legal definition of reclamation, Literal answered in the affirmative. This prompted the senator to question why the PRA had not issued a similar cease-and-desist order against the LLRN, given that neither project secured the requisite PRA permits prior to the start of construction.

Cayetano emphasized that the findings clear Taguig City of wrongdoing and point directly to compliance failures within the public works department.

"Ang ugat ng problema natin hindi ang city, hindi ako, hindi kung sino man — kundi ang kakulangan ng DPWH," Cayetano said. (The root of our problem isn't the city, nor myself, nor anyone else — it is the shortcoming of the DPWH.)

The senator noted that while the DPWH has pursued lakeshore developments for nearly two decades without proper PRA authorization, the reclamation agency only attempted enforcement after construction was well underway.

Cayetano also criticized the PRA’s enforcement track record, noting that the agency had failed to exercise its regulatory powers since 2019.

He added that the CDO against the Taguig project was issued in response to media reports without prior coordination with local officials or congressional representatives.

"Hindi niyo ako tinanong. Dalawang senador ang taga-Taguig. Hindi ninyo tinanong 'yung mayor. Hindi ninyo tinanong 'yung dalawang congressman. Tapos ang DPWH, takot sumagot sa inyo," Cayetano said. (You didn't ask me. Two senators are from Taguig. You didn't ask the mayor. You didn't ask the two congressmen. And then the DPWH is afraid to answer you.)

Cayetano further raised concerns over the PRA requesting land title documents directly from the local government, arguing the agency should have instead coordinated with the Land Registration Authority (LRA).

He also pointed out an internal contradiction involving DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, who publicly announced the cease-and-desist order despite his own department being the proponent of the penalized project.

"Inorderan niya ang sarili niyang tao," Cayetano remarked. (He issued an order against his own people.)

PRA officials did not dispute the DPWH's role in both projects. Literal stated that the agency is arranging a coordination meeting with the DPWH, LLDA, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to resolve the regulatory issues.

Cayetano urged the PRA to extend invitations to Taguig City and other affected local government units.

"Sana ini-involve natin 'yung local [government]... Konting malasakit din pabalik sa isang siyudad na nagmamalasakit din sa lahat," Cayetano urged. (I hope we involve the local government... Show a little care in return to a city that cares for everyone.)

PRA Chairman Alex Lopez apologized during the hearing "for any inconvenience caused by the miscommunication."

-Paraluman News