Aspiring vice president Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan said on Tuesday, April 5, that the "rush to construct" Kaliwa Dam should not brush aside laws and the rights of communities that will be affected by the project.
While recognizing the need for additional water sources in the country, Pangilinan questioned the signing of the memorandum of agreement for the P12.2-billion Chinese-funded deal despite staunch opposition from the Dumagat-Remontado tribe occupying portions of the project site.
The lawmaker even warned of a "Pharmally-like" outcome on the project that will cover several provinces, including Rizal.
"Kailangan tiyakin na patas ang kontrata at hindi minadali para sa mga Chinese investor. Baka sa huli, mala-Pharmally ang kalabasan nito kung saan pinagkakitaan lang ang pondo ng bayan (It must be ensured that the contract was not rushed for the sake of Chinese investors. Because in the end, it might turn into a Pharmally-like incident where public fund is only used for profit)," Pangilinan said.
The senator was referring to the overpriced pandemic medical supplies provided by the firm chosen by the Department of Budget and Management.
"Kapag sinimulan na ang proyekto, hindi na maibabalik anuman ang masisira sa kapaligiran (Once the project begins, the damage it will cost will not be undone). The damage will be irreversible," Pangilinan said.
The vice-presidential bet also reminded that the dam project will be under a loan agreement to be paid by every Filipino and with interest.
"Dapat ding busisiing maigi ang kontrata ng Chinese company na ito para malaman kung patas ang mga probisyon at hindi lugi ang mga Pilipino (The contract of the Chinese company must also be studied carefully to ensure that the provisions are fair and won't cause loss to Filipinos). Ika nga (Like what they say), the devil is in the details," he said.
Pangilinan said that with many controversies hounding its construction, a thorough and transparent review of the agreement is paramount.
The 60-meter-high reservoir of the New Centennial Water Source-Kaliwa Dam Project will cover 291 hectares of the Kaliwa Watershed Forest Reserve and the adjoining ancestral domains of the Dumagat-Remontado communities in General Nakar, Quezon and Tanay, Rizal.
A 28-kilometer-long conveyance tunnel will be built from the dam site in Barangay Magsaysay in Infanta, Quezon through several barangays in Tanay, Baras, Morong and Teresa towns in Rizal.
It is expected to affect 1,465 households in three villages in Rizal.