Explain CDO defiance, Taguig contractor told

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has issued a show-cause order (SCO) against the contractor of a multi-purpose building in Taguig City for allegedly continuing construction despite a cease and desist order (CDO) covering reclaimed areas of Laguna de Bay.

The SCO was issued by the DPWH Metro Manila 1st District Office to the contractor of the Multi-Purpose Building at the Lakeshore Complex in Barangay Lower Bicutan.

The district office gave the contractor five days from receipt of the order to explain why administrative, contractual or other action should not be taken against the company.

“Failure to submit your written explanation within the prescribed period shall be construed as a waiver of your opportunity to submit an explanation, and the DPWH may proceed with appropriate action based on available records and evidence, without prejudice to other remedies available under existing laws, rules, regulations, and applicable contract provisions,” the SCO said.

The DPWH also stressed that the order did not constitute a final determination that a violation had been committed.

The district office issued a CDO on 20 August directing the suspension of construction activities in reclaimed areas in Taguig, including the multi-purpose building.

The DPWH said it issued the SCO after receiving information on 18 September that construction on the building had continued despite the CDO.

Last month, the Philippine Reclamation Authority issued a separate CDO directing the DPWH to stop construction projects in reclaimed areas on the Taguig side of Laguna de Bay.

“The PRA is concerned with projects undertaken or being implemented without the requisite reclamation approval, authority, clearance, permit, environmental compliance, and other approvals required under existing laws and regulations,” the agency said in its order to the DPWH.