CHR urges balance of benefits in Kaliwa Dam, other projects
By AJ Siytangco
Published Nov 4, 2019 12:40 pm
By Chito Chavez
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has insisted that there should be a sense of balance on the projected benefits that should be shared in the construction of national development projects in the country such as the Kaliwa Dam project.
Commission on Human Rights (MANILA BULLETIN)
CHR Commissioner Gwendolyn Pimentel-Gana said the government should take into consideration that “mitigating the water shortage in Metro Manila should be shared equally by everyone and should not be detrimental to indigenous communities.’’
Gana insisted “there is no justice in quenching the thirst for water if it is at the expense of destroying communities.’’
She noted that resistance to the project from the affected indigenous communities such as the Agta-Dumagat-Remontado populations within the boundaries of Quezon and Rizal provinces is a valid dissent as the Kaliwa Dam Project would lead to the destruction of their ancestral domains and displacement of their populations.
“They have the right to full disclosure of information about the project and the right to negotiate and manifest objection. Without consent to proceed, it is a direct violation of the Indigenous Peoples Right Act. Likewise, Article XII Section 5 of the Constitution provides that the State shall ensure that national development policies and programs shall protect the rights of indigenous cultural communities to their ancestral lands to ensure their economic, social, and cultural well-being,” Gana explained.
Gana clarified the CHR has recognized the need to address the water shortage woes in Metro Manila but insisted the government should find other options if this will considerably have adverse effects on the lives of the indigenous group.
“Water is a human right and every Filipino deserves access to clean and adequate water supply. However, if the creation of new dams causes more problems than solutions, we urge the government to seriously exhaust viable alternatives such as identifying other location for water dams, the rehabilitation of existing water dams and supporting watershed conservations among others and to inform the indigenous communities and the public of what these alternatives are,’’ Gana noted.
The CHR noted that some indigenous groups have already expressed fear that their inputs or objection to the project will merely be ignored.
Members of the affected indigenous communities have also questioned the issuance of the Environmental Compliance Certificate for Kaliwa Dam as threats of flooding and destruction of their sacred land and biodiversity will be confronted once the project commences.
“These are valid concerns and must not be simply brushed aside by the government,’’ Gana noted.
The CHR called on the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to work closely with the CHR in monitoring the implementation of the project and to ensure that there are no irregularities in securing free prior and informed consent.
Gana also has demanded transparency from the government asking it to lay out its proposed rehabilitation and social protection plans for the affected communities before the project pushes through.
Pursuant to its mandate, the CHR said it will facilitate community-based dialogues with the indigenous groups and will enjoin concerned government institutions to come up with solutions that are genuinely respectful of the right to self-determination of indigenous people. (Chito A. Chavez)
Commission on Human Rights (MANILA BULLETIN)
CHR Commissioner Gwendolyn Pimentel-Gana said the government should take into consideration that “mitigating the water shortage in Metro Manila should be shared equally by everyone and should not be detrimental to indigenous communities.’’
Gana insisted “there is no justice in quenching the thirst for water if it is at the expense of destroying communities.’’
She noted that resistance to the project from the affected indigenous communities such as the Agta-Dumagat-Remontado populations within the boundaries of Quezon and Rizal provinces is a valid dissent as the Kaliwa Dam Project would lead to the destruction of their ancestral domains and displacement of their populations.
“They have the right to full disclosure of information about the project and the right to negotiate and manifest objection. Without consent to proceed, it is a direct violation of the Indigenous Peoples Right Act. Likewise, Article XII Section 5 of the Constitution provides that the State shall ensure that national development policies and programs shall protect the rights of indigenous cultural communities to their ancestral lands to ensure their economic, social, and cultural well-being,” Gana explained.
Gana clarified the CHR has recognized the need to address the water shortage woes in Metro Manila but insisted the government should find other options if this will considerably have adverse effects on the lives of the indigenous group.
“Water is a human right and every Filipino deserves access to clean and adequate water supply. However, if the creation of new dams causes more problems than solutions, we urge the government to seriously exhaust viable alternatives such as identifying other location for water dams, the rehabilitation of existing water dams and supporting watershed conservations among others and to inform the indigenous communities and the public of what these alternatives are,’’ Gana noted.
The CHR noted that some indigenous groups have already expressed fear that their inputs or objection to the project will merely be ignored.
Members of the affected indigenous communities have also questioned the issuance of the Environmental Compliance Certificate for Kaliwa Dam as threats of flooding and destruction of their sacred land and biodiversity will be confronted once the project commences.
“These are valid concerns and must not be simply brushed aside by the government,’’ Gana noted.
The CHR called on the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to work closely with the CHR in monitoring the implementation of the project and to ensure that there are no irregularities in securing free prior and informed consent.
Gana also has demanded transparency from the government asking it to lay out its proposed rehabilitation and social protection plans for the affected communities before the project pushes through.
Pursuant to its mandate, the CHR said it will facilitate community-based dialogues with the indigenous groups and will enjoin concerned government institutions to come up with solutions that are genuinely respectful of the right to self-determination of indigenous people. (Chito A. Chavez)