Old PRA letter shows cease-desist order issued against Lim’s reclamation project

By LITO RULONA
Correspondent

A PHILIPPINE Reclamation Authority (PRA) letter years ago surfaced and revealed that a cease-and-desist order was issued in connection with the controversial reclamation in Lapasan, and that Camp Alagar has been asked to enforce it.

The letter, dated Aug. 26, 2009, was sent by the then PRA general manager Andrea Domingo to Lynn Danao-Moreno who was then assistant executive secretary of the General Government Administration under the Office of the President.

Domingo’s letter was a reply to Danao-Moreno’s March 13, 2009 communication about issues raised by the Lapasan Elementary School-East City Central School Association (Leseccsa) against Lim’s reclamation in the foreshore area in Lapasan.

Domingo’s letter showed that the PRA has sought the help of the National Police office in northern Mindanao for the enforcement of the cease-and-desist order because “PRA has no police powers to appehend violators…”

Domingo however stated in her letter that Lim has substantially complied with the PRA’s requirements, and cited that he was “willing to cooperate in the titling of the unauthorized completed reclamation and as we deem it appropriate to the clear advantage of the government, PRA is considering to process the former’s application for approval / titling of the completed reclamation…”

It remains unclear if Lim’s application was completely processed but DPWH officials told the city council two weeks ago that the businessman cum Barangay 33 chairman only secured a PRA amnesty for undertaking the reclamation project without permission from the government.

Domingo also stated that the PRA would not approve any reclamation project without the endorsement of the local government.

The city council then passed a resolution endorsing Lim’s application to PRA.