Ifugao folks assail NCIP, energy firms’ proponents
>> Sunday, December 6, 2015
Church
leaders hit ‘manipulation of FPICs’
LAGAWE, Ifugao – Folks affected by energy
projects in the province assailed proponents and National Commission on
Indigenous Peoples officials who have reportedly manipulated the issuance of
“free, prior, informed consent” (FPIC) of the people for the implementation of such
projects.
This, even as Gov. Denis Habawel told a
national conference on Cordillera autonomy Wednesday at the Novotel Hotel in
Quezon City attended by top government officials that tribal elders in their
80s and who were ignorant of the problems posed by such projects were presented
by proponents as “genuine voice” of the people.
He said such manipulations had to be stopped
and “genuine consultations” should be done in the province whether such
projects would be allowed or not.
In Lagawe,
at least 40 representatives from different churches and communities
affected by energy projects in Ifugao vowed to raise concern for the protection
and conservation of natural resources and for the respect of indigenous
people’s rights during the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and Church Forum held at
the St. Magdalene Parish, Lagawe, Ifugao second week of November.
With its Biblical theme: “Let justice roll
down like waters and righteousness like an ever flowing stream,” the event was
hosted by St. Magdalene Parish and organized by the Ifugao Peasant Movement and
the Regional Council of Churches in the Cordillera.
Maricar Delfu of Reccord said the forum aimed
for a dialogue between church representatives and communities on environmental
and indigenous people’s issues in Ifugao.
Chruch representatives included: Fr. John
Habawel, Parish Priest, St. Magdalene (Catholic), Lagawe; Rev. MelitaInfante,
Conference Minister, North East Luzon Conference –United Church of Christ in
the Philippines (UCCP) and Rt. Rev. Bishop Alexander Wandag, Episcopal Diocese
of Santiago, Isabela.
Also present were members and leaders of the
communities affected by the energy projects in Eheb; Impugong; Tocucan,
Binablayan and Tinoc.
They spoke of their experiences when the
Quadrvier Energy Corp. and NCIP officials conducted FPIC activities in their
areas purportedly to get their sentiments on the matter.
In their testimonies, they said FPIC
activities implemented in the barangays of Eheb, Impugong, Tocucan and
Binablayan were done in gross violation of the law.
These included “manipulation and total
disregard of the FPIC processes, threats and harassments and lack of
transparency.”
Because of these violations, the communities
retracted their signature from the memorandum of agreement with Quadriver and
NCIP.
Quadriver, an Ayala Corporation, plans to put
up series of 26.1 megawatt minihydro electric power plants in said barangays.
Aside from the FPIC violations committed
against them, affected community folks said they also feared displacement and
destruction of their livelihood due to the proposed tunneling, road opening and
widening due to power plant construction.
In response to issues raised by affected
communities, Fr. Habawel expressed his concern and prayers for a fair MOA, full
and proper implementation of the FPIC process; proper information and education
of grass roots communities and safety for those vilified, tagged and threatened
in doing their work.
Rev. Infante said the UCCP supported
aspirations of the people and as a church, he said they will listen to the
plight of the people.
For its part, a Reccord statement said they
firmly supported the people in their campaign for the environment.
The group said this was affirmation of their
12th general assembly theme of advancing indigenous peoples agenda for genuine
peace and freedom and upholding IP rights.
Wandag cited important role of churches in
listening and solidarity to the issues and problems of IPs and society.
He said the church should lead people to
genuine development and peace.
The forum later issued a statement abhorring
political vilification. They agreed to conduct a solidarity mission soon in
Tinoc to hear directly from affected communities.
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