DENR halts construction of LLDA building in QC

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Friday ordered the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) to stop the construction of its P200-million three-storey building intended to house the LLDA's offices in Quezon City. In a statement, Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said the order was issued after LLDA general manager Edgardo Manda allowed the project contractor to proceed the construction of the building at the DENR Ecology Center in front of the Philippine Heart Center. Earlier, several non-government organizations and local governments clamored to stop the building project as it was considered as a "midnight deal." They also said it lacked the approval of the LLDA board for its implementation. On June 28 — three days before the exit of the Arroyo administration — the LLDA board awarded the P200-million project to the contractor. Groups of fishermen said the money used for the project should have been given to the residents of the lakeshore communities affected by the disastrous typhoon Ondoy. For his part, Rizal Gov. Casimiro Ynares III will look into the case for possible violations of the law. — JE/RSJ, GMANews.TV