ILOILO – The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Region 6 has strongly denied any neglect of the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in Calinog town, particularly the Panay Bukidnon community, in relation to the P11.2-billion Jalaur River Multipurpose Project Phase II (JRMP II).
They have also firmly disavowed any involvement in the operation conducted by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Army on Dec. 30, 2020 which resulted in the deaths of nine Tumandok leaders.
This clarification from NIA-6 comes in the wake of United Nations Climate Change and Human Rights Special Rapporteur Ian Fry’s call for the protection of IPs’ human rights amid the Jalaur mega dam’s ongoing construction.
Fry also pressed for an independent investigation into the killings of Tumandok tribe leaders.
On Nov. 13, Fry visited the mega dam project site to evaluate its environmental and social impacts and to engage with the IPs.
Steve Cordero, JRMP II watershed management chief and spokesperson, told Panay News, “We are firmly committed to considering our IPs in the project implementation. The process included a Free Prior and Informed Consent procedure. Before initiating the project, we ensured the IPs were fully informed about the project’s potential impacts, both positive and negative.”
The mega dam aims to improve agricultural production in Western Visayas. Specifically, it is projected to increase annual production of rice in Iloilo to 300,000 metric tons from 140,000 metric tons. It will likewise expand the production areas of sugarcane and other crops.
Cordero further cited the formation of an Inter-Agency Convergence Mechanism, comprising 28 government agencies/offices, to meet the needs and protect the rights of the IPs. This body focuses on fulfilling 140 commitments to the IPs, with a total cost of almost P1 billion.
He recalled the initial visit to the project site, where the team recognized the challenges faced by the IPs, including the lack of access to roads, schools, health centers, and other facilities. Since then, he said, significant improvements have been made, providing the IPs with access roads, bridges, concrete pathways, small-scale enterprises, daycare centers, and livelihood training.
Additionally, a resettlement or housing project for 32 IP families is underway in Sitio Agburi, Barangay Cahigon, Calinog, with the housing project nearing 95% completion, said Cordero.
Addressing the Tumandok killings, Cordero emphasized that NIA had no role in the PNP and Philippine Army operation that resulted in the deaths and arrests.
“We have not filed any cases against these individuals, indicating no connection to our project. The majority of those affected were from Tapaz, Capiz, not Calinog,” Cordero clarified.
Regarding Ian Fry’s visit, Cordero remarked that a more comprehensive discussion might have addressed any misunderstandings or information gaps.
Fry’s visit was brief, limiting his ability to fully grasp the project’s multiple dimensions.
To bridge these information gaps, NIA-6 has communicated with NIA chief Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen, seeking to clarify matters with the Office of the Presidential Commission on Human Rights.
Cordero pointed out that Fry did not interact directly with the families affected by the project, further contributing to the information discrepancy.
Cordero said the NIA-6 Project Management Office respects and welcomes the input from all stakeholders and civil society organizations.
“We value their opinions and believe in their right to express themselves, although we expect responsibility in their statements. Some allegations are not factual,” he noted.
Currently, the overall physical accomplishment of the project has reached 71.66 percent.
JRMP II includes the construction of 109-meter Jalaur high dam, 38.5-meter afterbay dam, 10-meter Alibunan catch dam, 80.74-kilometer high line canal; generation of new areas for irrigation; and rehabilitation of existing irrigation system.
As a multi-purpose project, JRMP will provide benefits such as flood mitigation and control, the promotion of eco-tourism in selected reservoir areas, and serve as possible source of power supply.
JRMP II was first implemented in 1960s after the fourth Congress passed Republic Act 2651, which provides for the construction of the JRMP in Iloilo. Its first phase was completed in 1980s but its second phase was derailed due to lack of funding./PN
