By CORDILLERA PEOPLES ALLIANCE
www.nordis.net

March 17, 2016

On the celebration of the International Day of Action Against Dams and for Rivers (IDAAD) on March 14, 2016, the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) renews its call for the protection of rivers from big businesses and large dams. Rivers are essential in sustaining life and constructing big dams is tantamount to death for our people and communities. This week, we also salute individuals and communities who continue to defend our rivers from capitalist greed.

The Cordillera region is dubbed as the watershed cradle of Northern Luzon. Its forests sustain 6 of Northern Luzon’s major river systems. Perhaps for this reason, government classifies 85% of the Cordillera as forestland, 30% of which is officially designated as forest reserve. There are dozens of major rivers and tributaries located in the region. Among these major rivers are Chico, Abra River, Ahin, Siffu, Agno and more.

But this richness of the region is a continuing source of conflict as multi-national energy corporations and the State see these rivers as a source of super profit. From the time of then Dictator Ferdinand Marcos until to the present time, this policy never changed. In fact, more and more energy applications are plotted along the major rivers and tributaries in the region. As of November 30, 2015, there are at least 66 awarded hydroelectric power projects in the region and at least 17 similar projects are pending based from the document released by the Department of Energy.

On the ground, the Sta. Clara and Quadriver Corporations in cahoots with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) deceived the people of Tinoc, Ifugao in their attempt to build at least six mini-hydro projects along the tributaries of the Ahin River. But due to the strong opposition of the people, the project was put on hold. On the other hand, SN Aboitiz Corporation plans to put up the Alimit Hydroelectric Power Complex with at least 350Megawatts. This mega hydro complex will affect some parts and communities of the municipalities of Lagawe; Lamut; Mayaoyao and Aguinaldo in Ifugao.

But as proven by previous mega dams in the region, its long term effects to the environment are irreversible. If the Alimit Hydroelectric Power Complex will push through hectares of land will be submerged just like what happened in Itogon when at least 2,500 hectares was flooded when the San Roque Dam reservoir was constructed. Adding to this are the issues of sedimentation and siltation, upstream flooding, downstream flooding, flash-flooding and overtopping. It is maybe true that the areas to be used for the mega hydro complex is not populated but it does not mean that the upstream and downstream will not be affected in the future. Like what happened in Ambuclao and Binga dams, the tail end of its reservoir continues to expand and now reaching residential areas. Like what happened in Ambuklao, Binga and other big dams all over the country, the people’s water sources will be privatized.

The experiences of Ambuclao and Binga is enough. We do not want to see more communities suffer as a result of large dams. We support our communities in their campaigns against large dams. Let our rivers flow.

We would like also to take this opportunity to express our solidarity and calls for justice for Berta Caceres, a known Honduran anti-dam champion who was assassinated because of her fierce stand against large dams. # nordis.net