Abra folks demand talks over dam proj or oppose it

By Aldwin Quitasol

TUBO, Abra -- Residents of Barangay Amtuagan here are demanding authorities to reveal the real motive behind a planned construction of a mini-dam on the river that flows through their territory and hold consultations, or they will oppose the project.

Flora Constante of Amtuagan Poblacion said that they came to know of the planned Sta. Clara mini-hydro plant but they were not sure about its details.

She said they were told by officers of the Senior Citizens Association of their barangay that this will be for irrigation purposes.

She disclosed that in a community meeting on the first week of June, they were again told that it will be for electricity.

She said that the mini-dam is being targeted to be constructed on Damalin River which is situated at Sitio Likowan of Amtuagan. She said that the river sustains the villagers of more than 58 households of Amtuagan and 38 of Likowan. She also said people of nearby Barangay Sabnangan of Luba, Abra are also benefiting from it.

Constante revealed that when one of their village mates asked the engineer of Sta. Clara company, they were told that the mini-hydro electric plant will produce more than one hundred megawatts.

She said during the meeting, the officials (senior citizens) told them about the positive sides of the project. “Awan met imbaga da nga pagdaksanna,” (they did not mention its negative effects) she said.

She said that they were told that the project was planned on January this year. She said they did not know if the company applied at the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Abra.

She said that they will not allow that such project will start or will take place without their Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC).

Constante said that they heard and read experiences of communities hosting dams. She said that what they realized from the experiences of the villages with dams, the effects of such are the destruction of rice paddies because of land erosion, siltation and possible displacements of livelihoods and their community.

She said that because of the unity and strong opposition of the people of  Tubo to the entrance of large scale mining companies into their territory, they were able to guard their lands from probable destruction. She said their homeland is safe for now from the mining companies but she also stressed that they are still on the alert because they will come back anytime. “Itatta, lappedan mi met daytoy hydro a proyekto tapno salakniban mi ti kaarayan,” (This time, we will oppose this hydro project to protect our river) Constante firmly said.