Taguig land titles cover 170 hectares of Laguna de Bay, including underwater areas

MANILA — At least 170 hectares of unauthorized land and lakeshore encroachments on the Taguig side of Laguna de Bay are covered by registered land titles, Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson disclosed on Saturday. The senator cited updated data from the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) in highlighting the extent of the issue affecting the country's largest inland body of water.

The disclosed area encompasses both terrestrial and aquatic portions of Laguna de Bay, raising questions about the validity and legality of property claims that extend into underwater zones of the lake. Lacson's statement underscores ongoing concerns about unauthorized land claims and potential environmental implications for the lagoon system.

The Philippine Reclamation Authority data provides the most recent assessment of encroachment activities in the area, which has been a persistent concern for local and national authorities. The findings suggest that multiple property titles may overlap with the protected waterways of Laguna de Bay.

The disclosure adds to growing scrutiny of land management and property rights issues around Manila's major freshwater resource, which supplies water to millions of residents in the National Capital Region and surrounding provinces. Environmental groups and government agencies have previously flagged encroachments as threats to the lake's ecological integrity and water quality.