The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is tightening the screws on the implementation of the foreign-funded rehabilitation of Laguna de Bay following allegations of corruption in the dredging of the lake. Sen. Franklin Drilon said the DENR is now seeking changes in the P18.5-billion dredging project funded by the Belgian government to specifically include reforestation activities and third party monitoring. Drilon said the Arroyo administration released P1.324 billion last February for the alleged dredging of rivers in eight provinces but charged that it was likely used for the May elections.

Mencias, E. A. (2010, September 23). Stricter rules for dredging of Laguna de Bay proposed. Manila Standard, p. A8.