Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) have already drafted a memorandum of agreement (MOA) that will pave the way for the construction of the P12-billion Kaliwa Dam. 

Earlier this week, MWSS and NCIP Region IV-A have conducted a validation/ratification of the initial draft of the MOA for the Kaliwa Dam. The event was attended by more than a hundred indigenous peoples (IP).

The MOA was drafted after a series of government negotiations with IPs of Quezon Province, that were held from October 13 to 15, 2020, and with the IPs of Rizal Province, which was conducted from November 3 to 5, 2020.

The negotiations, which were a part of the process to obtain the required Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) for the Kaliwa Dam project, were facilitated by NCIP.

In a statement on Thursday, STOP Kaliwa Dam Network (SKDN) denounced the recent move of MWSS and NCIP to meet with the IPs despite the threat of COVID-19 in General Nakar and Infanta, Quezon and the unresolved concerns regarding the FPIC process. 

The FPIC application process for Kaliwa Dam project started in 2018, but was faced with many delays primarily due to environmental concerns expressed by several groups and communities toward the project.  

According to SKDN, more than a hundred Dumagats, including minor and senior citizens, attended the three-day event in Brgy. Anoling, General Nakar this May 17 to 19, 2021. 

The group said participants were required to sign a Waiver of Liability that acquits MWSS and NCIP IV-A from any liability in case a Dumagat gets infected with the virus after the event. The IPs were COVID-free prior to the event. 

“This MOA Validation only puts the IPs at risk of contracting the virus. It also violates the existing IATF lockdown protocols prohibiting any large gathering in communities,” SKDN said. 

SKDN also condemned the alleged red-tagging of the Dumagats by the state forces. 

According to reports shared with SKDN, the military has heightened its presence in the area, masked as part of the government's "counter-insurgency" program. 

SKDN then called on the national government, the NCIP, and MWSS to prioritize the health and well-being of Indigenous communities during this pandemic.

“Instead of railroading the FPIC process in Quezon and Rizal and instilling fear among IPs, they should rechannel their energy and resources in providing social aid and protection to our indigenous communities,” SKDN said. 

The Kaliwa Dam project, considered as the government's long-term solution to Metro Manila’s water woes, is a joint venture of MWSS and China Energy Engineering Corporation (CEEC) and will have the capacity to treat as much as 600 million liters of water per day (mld).

The project will be constructed by CEEC through an Official Development Assistance (ODA) deal between Philippines and China. Right now, Metro Manila is still largely dependent on Angat Dam.