By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
The Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) has issued a formal directive forbidding all unauthorized reclamation activities in Laguna de Bay, noting that the agency has not approved any such activity in the country’s largest inland lake.
In a media release on Thursday, the PRA cited the necessity of this mandate as crucial in protecting Laguna de Bay, which aids in managing floodwaters from Metro Manila and surrounding provinces and sustains the livelihood of millions of Filipinos residing along its shores.
“Unauthorized reclamation within the lake limits its natural hydrological function and exacerbates perennial flooding, endangering the safety, livelihood, and welfare of millions of Filipinos,” the statement read.
The agency also referenced a statement from PRA Director Dr. Fernando Siringan on PTV’s Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon program, which said: “Madaming dahilan ang pagbaha. Kung titingnan natin ang mga ilog, ito ay nagiging mababaw dahil sa basura at silt—at mga illegal structures.”
“Ito ay isa sa mga tinitingnan ng PRA. Bahagi ng mandato ng PRA is reclamation—hindi lamang sa dagat, kasama ang pagtingin sa ilog at lawa—at i-aaddress [ito] ng PRA sa lalong madaling panahon.”
The country’s reclamation agency, meanwhile, called the attention of concerned entities allegedly engaging in reclamation or land-altering activities within Laguna de Bay, reaffirming that no government agencies may authorize or undertake reclamation without coordination and clearance from PRA.
Those involved in the illegal/unauthorized reclamation activity may be subjected to administrative, civil, and criminal liability on top of the forfeiture of assets used in conducting such operations.
The PRA exercises its exclusive regulatory mandate under Presidential Decree Nos. 3-A and 1084, Executive Order No. 525 (s. 1979), and Executive Order No. 74 (s. 2019), which collectively establish PRA as the sole regulatory authority for all reclamation projects nationwide.
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