The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has ordered the immediate suspension of ongoing projects that may have reclamation components within Laguna de Bay following a cease-and-desist order from the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA).
The PRA directed the DPWH to stop reclamation-related activities involving infrastructure projects in the Laguna de Bay area that have yet to secure the required reclamation approval and other government authorizations.
“With reference to all relevant infrastructure projects with reclamation components within the Laguna de Bay area that have not obtained the required reclamation approval and other necessary government authorizations, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is hereby directed to cease and desist from undertaking such reclamation-related activities,” the PRA said.
Meanwhile, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon immediately directed the Metro Manila 1st District Engineering Office to comply with the order and suspend all ongoing projects covered by the PRA directive.
Dizon said the DPWH also submitted an inventory of the projects to the PRA, noting that several of those identified in the order have already been completed.
“Majority nito, kaya nagpadala kami ng listahan for transparency sa PRA, ay marami dito ay tapos na,” Dizon said in an interview with DZRH’s Dos Por Dos on Monday.
Dizon clarified that the Laguna Lakeshore Road, which serves as the C6 connection, should not be considered a reclamation project.
He said the road project was started in 2010 and was intended to provide a vital alternative route connecting Parañaque, Muntinlupa, Bicutan, Taguig, Pasig and areas toward Rizal.
“Vital alternative road yan. We made it clear lang sa sulat namin na we don’t consider that a reclamation kasi priority project ng gobyerno yan. Gusto lang namin i-clarify yon,” Dizon said.
“Napakatagal na noon, 2010 pa nagsimula, na-continue lang ata noong panahon na ni former president Duterte,” he added.
Dizon said the DPWH has asked the PRA to clarify the specific concerns behind the cease-and-desist order and determine whether any ongoing projects failed to secure the necessary permits.
He also stressed that the issuance of the CDO does not automatically mean that the projects or structures involved have been declared illegal.
“Wala naman sinabi yung PRA doon sa sulat na whether I don’t think they have rendered judgement na kung ano ang sitwasyon dyan. Sabi lang nila DPWH hinto muna,” The DPWH chief said.
Dizon said the department is cooperating with the PRA’s review and wants to be part of discussions to determine whether there were violations in the implementation of the projects.
He also assured that the cease-and-desist order does not mean that existing structures funded by the government will be demolished.
“Walang titibagin diyan,” Dizon said, adding that the CDO should not be interpreted as an order to demolish projects that were funded with public money.
“At least sa part ng DPWH ang CDO hindi ibig sabihin eh magtitibag kasi pondo ng mga kababayan natin yan.”
The DPWH said it remains open to further discussions with the PRA and will continue to cooperate with the agency regarding the projects covered by the order.
