MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson on Monday said at least P3.713 billion in public funds may have been wasted on “illegal” projects near Laguna Lake in Taguig City.
Lacson said the latest findings will be among the evidence he and his team will send to the Office of the Ombudsman's fact-finding team "for proper disposition."
"WASTED PUBLIC FUNDS DUE TO MISUSE: Based on official records and our investigation, the total cost of identified completed, ongoing (and suspended) DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) Flood Control and Multi-Purpose Projects along the ‘illegal’ Laguna Lakeshore Reclamation Areas in Taguig City has so far reached P3.713 billion," Lacson said in a social media post.
"These do not include other anomalous Slope Protection and Flood Mitigation projects along Taguig River involving double appropriations and 'ghost' projects using recycled photographs in different 'completed' projects, for billing purposes," he added.
Citing official records and his team's investigation, Lacson named the top five contractors involved in projects covering P2.372 billion.
These are Dahl Construction: P858.22 million covering five solo projects worth P571.5 million and four joint ventures totaling P286.7 million; J.C. Uyecio: P483.1 million covering four joint ventures; Toughbuilt: P434.2 million covering three solo projects; Topnotch: P329.9 million covering two joint ventures with Core Check and one with Beam Team; and GR Fervidal: P266.6 million covering five solo multi-purpose building projects.
All of the multi-purpose building projects of GR Fervidal were suspended due to a "revision of plans" involving soil re-investigation, Lacson said.
The senator earlier said that Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon vowed that the DPWH would immediately issue cease-and-desist orders on projects linked to the illegal reclamation once he receives the appropriate requests from the Philippine Reclamation Authority to prevent further waste of government funds on contractors carrying out unauthorized or illegal activities.
Dizon was quoted in reports on Sunday that the DPWH has already issued the cease-and-desist orders, following a directive from the Office of the President coursed through the PRA.
Lacson also said PRA officials told him and his staff that all reclaimed areas in Taguig City, whether belonging to the local government or to private individuals, are subject to forfeiture in favor of the national government.
