The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has uncovered what appears to be a reclamation project in Laguna de Bay that was presented as a flood control initiative.

During the DPWH budget hearing on Monday, October 27, DENR Undersecretary Carlos Primo David presented satellite images showing that what was labeled as a flood control project was, in fact, a land reclamation activity within the lake.

“This one I wish DPWH would look at because we are not an investigating party in this flood control issue. But we transfer everything to those that are investigating whether it be the Blue Ribbon Committee, DPWH or the ICI.” David said during the hearing.

“This is a flood control project within Laguna de Bay, but if you look at the satellite images, they are actually reclamation projects within the lake.”

He emphasized that such activities could have severe environmental consequences.

“This is a different kind of issue because there are much, much more permits, environmental impact, maybe it even costs further flooding within the Laguna lake area when you do reclamation projects,” he added.

David noted that such undertakings require stricter environmental clearances and could worsen flooding in surrounding communities.

The Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) reiterated in 2025 that reclamation within Laguna de Bay remains prohibited due to its detrimental effects on the lake’s natural hydrology and its role in mitigating floods in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Following the revelation, the Senate Finance Committee directed the DENR to submit a report detailing its monitoring of ongoing flood control projects.

"The monitoring of the flood control projects as submitted by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was agreed upon in 2023 by an inter-agency sub-committee co-chaired by DENR under the umbrella of the Infrastructure Committee of the National Economic and Development Authority now Department of Economy, Planning and Development," said in a statement.

David explained that the DENR’s initial findings will undergo further verification by other agencies, particularly the DPWH.

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon clarified that the DPWH’s report to the inter-agency sub-committee included projects not strictly categorized under flood control — such as slope protection works for road infrastructure, including the Laguna Lakeshore Slope Protection Project in Taguig City.

The DENR vowed to continue collaborating with the inter-agency Sub-Committee on Water Resources to improve reporting systems, strengthen coordination among agencies, and ensure that flood and water resource management projects are properly evaluated before implementation.