Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 23) — Several groups and members of indigenous communities trooped to government offices on Thursday to voice their concerns against the Kaliwa Dam project, as they concluded the 9-day Alay Lakad Laban sa Kaliwa Dam march.
The Dumagat-Remontado Indigenous Peoples (IPs) stopped at the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) main office in Quezon City to voice their opposition to the project.
They condemned the claim of the MWSS and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) that there were enough consultations among the affected communities to start the construction of the dam.
“Malaking kasinungalingan ang sinasabi niyo. Hindi po kami mababayaran,” said protester Maria Clara Dullas. “Kami ay hindi sinasangguni.”
[Translation: What you are saying is a big lie. We cannot be compensated. We were not consulted.]
The MWSS earlier turned over ₱160 million to two Dumagat organizers as a construction disturbance fee.
Meanwhile, a Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) official faced the protesters at the main office in Quezon City and vowed to raise their concerns to agencies involved in the Kaliwa Dam project.
“Sana naiintindihan niyo yung kahirapan sa tubig. Tingnan natin kasi, babalanse naman lahat-lahat yan, lalo na yung kalagayan sa mga lugar at nirerespeto namin yung ancestral home. Lahat ng rights tinitingnan yan,” the DENR said.
[Translation: We hope you understand that we have a water crisis. We will see, since everything will eventually balance out, especially the condition of the areas, and we respect your ancestral home. We are looking at everyone’s rights.]
WATCH: An official of the DENR went out and faced anti-Kaliwa Dam Dumagats. The official promised to bring up the concerns of the group to the agencies involved in the project. @cnnphilippines pic.twitter.com/ZF4kOiZLtQ
— Gerg Cahiles (@GergCahiles) February 23, 2023
In an earlier Twitter post, former Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat suggested maximizing the use of rainwater and studying the desalination of saltwater as alternative solutions to the water crisis in Metro Manila.
He also said water recycling, the rehabilitation of existing dams, and efficient water distribution can also be implemented.
The protesters planned to head to Malacañang to air their grievances but a police barricade prevented them from doing do. They were only allowed until the San Sebastian College area along Recto Avenue in Manila.
The Alay Lakad Laban sa Kaliwa Dam began in General Nakar, Quezon on Feb. 15, which covered 150 kilometers and passed through the provinces of Quezon, Laguna and Rizal.
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In a statement, the UP Baguio Student Council warned against the effect of the 60-meter Kaliwa Dam on the Dumagat-Remontados.
“Ang dam na papalit sa mga puno ng Sierra Madre ay magbubunga pa ng paglubog sa mga lugar sa panahon ng sakuna,” the student group said Thursday.
[Translation: The dam that will replace the trees in Sierra Madre will submerge the communities during calamities.]
“Ang pagtatayo ng Kaliwa Dam ay isang paglabag sa mga lehitimong mga karapatan ng Dumagat-Remontados sa kanilang lupang ninuno. Isa itong paraan upang buwagin at siraan ang mga komunidad ng mga katutubo,” it added.
[Translate: The construction of the Kaliwa Dam is a violation of the legitimate rights of the Dumagat-Remontados to their ancestral land. It is a way to dismantle and destroy indigenous communities.]
Environmental group Greenpeace also urged the government to adhere to the call to stop the construction of Kaliwa Dam.
“As the climate crisis interacts with other human-made problems such as biodiversity loss, overexploitation of resources and social injustices…Greenpeace believes that pursuing this project is an atrocious move, particularly at a time of worsening climate crisis,” its statement said.
“Safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystems — as well as safeguarding the rights of, and securing justice for, those most affected — is fundamental to climate resilience,” it added.
CNN Philippines’ Gerg Cahiles contributed to this story.
