Senator Lacson alleges P3.7b spent on projects in 'illegal' Taguig reclamation

MANILA – At least PHP3.713 billion in public funds went to completed, ongoing, and suspended government projects along portions of the Laguna Lake shoreline in Taguig City that are now subject to government action over alleged illegal reclamation, Senator Panfilo Lacson said Monday.

Lacson said the amount, based on official records and his team's investigation, covered flood control and multipurpose projects of 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 PHP3.713 billion,” Lacson said in a post on X.

He said the PHP3.713 billion does not include other allegedly anomalous slope protection and flood mitigation projects along the Taguig River, which he claimed involved double appropriations and “ghost” projects that used recycled photographs of supposedly completed projects for billing.

Lacson said the latest findings would be among the evidence his team would submit to the Office of the Ombudsman's fact-finding team “for proper disposition.”

Of the amount identified, PHP2.372 billion involved projects undertaken by five contractors, according to Lacson.

Dahl Construction accounted for PHP858.22 million, covering five solo projects worth PHP571.5 million and four joint ventures totaling PHP286.7 million.

J.C. Uyecio was involved in four joint ventures totaling PHP483.1 million, followed by Toughbuilt with three projects worth PHP434.2 million; Topnotch with three joint ventures totaling PHP329.9 million; and GR Fervidal with five multipurpose building projects worth PHP266.6 million.

Lacson said all five GR Fervidal projects were suspended due to a “revision of plans” involving soil re-investigation.

The disclosure followed the DPWH's issuance of cease-and-desist orders covering government projects linked to the questioned reclamation activities.

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon earlier assured Lacson that the department would stop the projects upon receiving the appropriate request from the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA).

Dizon subsequently confirmed that cease-and-desist orders had been issued following a directive from the Office of the President coursed through the PRA.

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, meanwhile, said Sunday that the government stands to benefit if Lacson's allegations concerning the questioned titles are proven.

Cayetano particularly cited the 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 (There was a report in the newspaper yesterday saying that 181,000 square meters or 18 hectares were ‘illegally titled.’ In a way, we are also hoping that is true. Why? Because if it is indeed illegal, it will go to the government, and then we will have 18 hectares for the government),” Cayetano said.

He also welcomed the examination of land titles in the area, saying Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano had long wanted them scrutinized.

“Katulad ngayon na gusto nilang tingnan lahat ng titulo, matagal na pong gusto ni Lani iyon (Just like now that they want to examine all the titles, Lani has wanted that for a long time),” Cayetano said. (PNA)