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.]
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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
