Government warns vs buying land along Laguna Lake

MANILA, Philippines — The Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) has warned the public against buying and selling of public lands along the areas covered by the lake.

LLDA is warning the public against dealing with individuals and entities selling or representing themselves as developers of public lands along Laguna Lake.

Just last week, LLDA general manager Jaime Medina and the municipality of Taytay filed before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Rizal a complaint for grave coercion and violations of the Urban Development and Housing Act and the LLDA Act against individuals responsible for selling and disposing of public lands along the Laguna Lake to private individuals through fraudulent, misleading and deceitful means.

“The LLDA denounces any act intended to defraud the public and does not and will not tolerate said unauthorized activities. The public is strongly advised to be cautious and verify the legitimacy of any sale or activities involving the Laguna Lake shore land areas,” Medina said.

“The LLDA will continue taking action to ensure that the Laguna Lake and its environs are duly protected,” he said.

Early this year, the LLDA issued a warning to the public against these kinds of dealings after receiving reports regarding a certain group showcasing the shore land areas of Laguna Lake along C6 Road for a sham project which includes housing facilities.

It was reported that the dealings of these unscrupulous individuals have deceitfully induced private individuals to pay substantial amounts, usually as membership fee or reservation fee for parcels of land along Laguna Lake.

“Under the law, the shore land areas of Laguna Lake are public land which form part of the lakebed. These are not for sale,” Medina said.

He said these groups have no authority to sell or represent themselves as developers of the shore land areas.