The Philippine Reclamation Authority has initiated forfeiture proceedings to transfer several hectares of illegally reclaimed land on the Taguig side of Laguna Lake to the national government. Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson disclosed the development on Sunday, August 9, following confirmation from the authority that the Taguig City government failed to secure mandatory permits for the projects.
PRA Forfeiture Process and Permit Violations
According to Senator Lacson, the Philippine Reclamation Authority confirmed his team’s initial findings that Taguig City undertook reclamation work without a single permit. Speaking in an interview on Radio DZBB, Lacson stated that the agency is moving toward an investigation that will lead to a board resolution for forfeiture proceedings. The lawmaker emphasized that the local government must follow proper procedures and laws regardless of whether the reclaimed land benefits residents, as former Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano previously claimed. Lacson noted that operations on the Taguig side of Laguna Lake were disguised as flood control and mitigation projects over several years.
The senator explained that even though the area is government property, local officials still needed clearances from multiple national bodies. These agencies include the Philippine Reclamation Authority, the Laguna Lake Development Authority, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. To illustrate proper compliance, Lacson cited Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who secured the necessary permits from related agencies including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources before undertaking reclamation there when he was governor of Sorsogon.
Budget Pressure and Stalled Investigations
Lacson recalled that an earlier inquiry by the reclamation authority stalled in November 2025 during deliberations on the Office of the President’s budget. He stated that the former Senate president pressured agency representatives and threatened to hold the budget of the Office of the President hostage by having deliberations suspended. With the budget pressure lifted, the agency is now pursuing the investigation with renewed enthusiasm. However, Lacson questioned whether the national government will actually generate revenue once the land transfer is finalized.
Did You Know? Personnel from the Philippine Reclamation Authority struggled to inspect the extent of the reclamation because their personnel were being monitored, leading one official to bring children to a street-food event in the Taguig area and use the occasion to fly a drone to get a clearer view.
Scale of Reclamation and Ongoing Investigations
Verification remains ongoing regarding the exact acreage subject to forfeiture. Lacson reported that while a count from several years ago logged 47 reclaimed hectares, another 37 hectares have been added recently. Meanwhile, Lacson and his team have coordinated with the reclamation authority and the Department of Public Works and Highways to gather evidence on at least 32 anomalous flood control projects in the area.
Senator Erwin Tulfo, as chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee, holds the authority to decide whether these Taguig City flood control projects will be included in upcoming committee hearings. Lacson noted that public anger is mounting as residents experience renewed flooding and question the allocation of public funds for flood control. Furthermore, he mentioned that several witnesses cooperating with his team have expressed fears of harassment, asking to be referred directly to the Ombudsman rather than testifying in public hearings to avoid premature exposure.
Expert Insight: The intersection of local infrastructure initiatives and national regulatory oversight highlights the strict legal limits placed on municipal governments. When local projects proceed without national permits from mandated bodies like the Philippine Reclamation Authority, the legal mechanism of land forfeiture serves as a direct assertion of national jurisdiction over public waters and submerged lands.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the forfeiture proceedings?
The Philippine Reclamation Authority started the forfeiture process after confirming that the Taguig City government failed to secure any permits for reclamation work conducted on the Taguig side of Laguna Lake.
How much land is currently involved in the reclamation issue?
According to Senator Lacson, a count conducted several years ago recorded 47 reclaimed hectares, with an additional 37 hectares added recently, though reclamation officials must verify the final total.
Why was the reclamation authority’s initial investigation delayed?
Lacson stated that an earlier inquiry stalled after the former Senate president pressured agency representatives and threatened to suspend deliberations on the Office of the President’s budget during November 2025 budget hearings.
How should local infrastructure projects balance municipal development goals with national environmental regulations?
Worth a look