Host communities

BEHIND THE SCENES 

Alfred Dizon

For so long “host communities,” mostly thosecovered by ancestral domain of indigenous folk, where government projects have been built -- like dams for electricity, have had little or no benefits at all from national government driven endeavors.

The huge taxes from mines for example, have been remitted directly to the national government and not local government units where these were located.   

           

This situation may change for the better (for LGUs) as the House committee on energy recently moved for approval of House Bill 1428 known as “Host Communities Bill” filed by Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat of Ifugao.

           

In the committee hearing, Baguilat explained, “the EPIRA law recognizes the need to recompense the contribution made by the host Local Government Units (LGUs) or regions in the electrification of the country. The purpose of this recompensation is to lessen the conflict of rights among host LGUs, community and people affected, the energy resource developers or power producers, and the appropriate agencies of the national government. It is also meant to promote harmony and cooperation among host local government units, the energy-resource developers or power producers and the appropriate agencies of the national government.”

           

Baguilat explained further, “It is unfortunate that the term ‘host community’ only covers the barangays, municipalities, provinces or regions where the dams or hydroelectric power generating facilities are located. It fails to consider the critical role of LGUs that protect watersheds that ultimately allow dams or hydroelectric power generating facilities to work. This glaring gap serves as a hurdle in the fulfillment of the principal objectives of the laws. Thus, the need to redefine the term “host community” to cover not only the barangays, municipalities, provinces or regions where the dams or hydroelectric power generating facilities are located but also those that protect and maintain the watersheds that provide water supply to the dams or the hydroelectric power generating facilities.”

           

To elaborate on the matter, Baguilat shared the Ifugao experience wherein most of the water reservoirs of the province go to the Magat Dam yet Ifugao barely benefits from it. However, while Ifugao protects the water reservoirs, it does not get any support from the national government through the EPIRA to help augment the budget necessary because in the first place, it is not even covered by the definition as a “Host Community.”

           

In response to Baguilat, Department of Energy Undersecretary Ina M. Asirit said “the DOE recognizes the concern. We are one in stating that we are checking better mechanisms for the benefits to accrue to those who need it the most. DOE is undergoing projects to check that such policy will address the needs and changes necessary. We do support the actions of the good congressman.”

           

“I fully support HB 1428 of Cong. Baguilat because I do agree that it is unfortunate that the definition of host communities is very limited. That is the case in several other areas in the Philippines such as in Palawan and Benguet, and it is good that this bill recognizes that,” said Rep. PoncianoPayuyo of the APEC Party List.

           

Rep.Henedina Abad, chairwoman of the committee on energy urged the National Power Corp. and the Department of Energy to submit their position and suggestion supporting House Bill 1428 for the next committee hearing.