The Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) shuts down two construction companies today for illegal dumping of waste materials/garbage at the shoreland area in Taguig City.

This, as Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu warned erring establishments to face legal cases, if not closure, for disregarding environmental laws.

“This is just the beginning as far as the Laguna Lake is concerned. My marching order to the LLDA is to continue and strengthen its monitoring and enforcement capabilities to put a stop to the degrading water quality of our lake,” Cimatu said.

LLDA General Manager Jaime ‘Joey’ Medina served the cease and desist orders to IPM Construction and Development Corporation with office in Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City and to Level Up Construction and Development Corporation with office in Brgy Calzada Taguig City with support from the Philippine National Police, Philippine Army, Mayor Lani Cayetano of Taguig City and DENR cooperatives.

GM key Medina also ordered the two companies to stop from dumping waste materials/garbage and other further reclamation activities. According to him, “these illegal reclamation and backfilling activities have already resulted to the depletion of the carrying capacity of the lake and because of these continuous defiance., the original contour of the Laguna Lake and the natural elevation of the subject leased area which is below 12.50 meters reglementary elevation has increased tremendously and expanding rigorously towards the lake without any approval from the LLDA”.

Under the Section 4 of the Republic Act No 450, the LLDA has “the exclusive jurisdiction to issue new permit for the use of lake waters for any projects or activities affecting the Laguna de Bay.”

The same law highlights its implementing rules and regulations which state that “other activities in all titled and untitled lands below elevation 12.50 meters that will pose pollution and cause ecological disturbance to the lake are strictly prohibited within the shoreland area.” ####

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Published: 14 June 2018