4 March 2010

Environmentalists welcome SMC Laiban Dam project cancellation, challenge presidential bets to totally abandon the project

Multisectoral alliance Network Opposed to Laiban Dam (NO to Laiban Dam) and environmental group Kalikasan People's Network for the Environment welcomed the decision of Metropolitan Water and Sewerage System (MWSS) to terminate its joint venture with Danding Cojuangco-owned San Miguel Corporation over the Laiban Dam Project.

"This is a tactical victory for the indigenous peoples, local communities and the groups who campaigned against the project. The termination will offer a temporary respite from the threats and damages that the controversial large dam pose," said Clemente Bautista of Kalikasan PNE and convenor of NO to Laiban Dam.

The group maintained that it is but correct for the MWSS not to pursue the project as it is environmentally dangerous and socially unaccepted by the indigenous people and local governments in Rizal and Quezon provinces.

Like in the past administrations, the Arroyo government and MWSS failed to get consent from communities and funding for the said project. The government has already expended around Php755 million pesos on the Laiban Dam project since 1970's but it has been postponed by different administrations because of issues on social impacts, corruption, lack of funding, technicalities and strong local opposition.

Highly contested issues include the displacement of about 10,000 residents, including Dumagat communities and the disturbance on 27,800 hectares of ancestral and agricultural lands.

"We call on MWSS officials to focus more on improving the water system and facilitate the construction of more environmental friendly water solutions rather than pursue the Laiban project. More importantly, to resolve the water and energy crises that continually plague the nation, the government should reverse its water privatization policy which put our water resources and facilities to the hands of foreign and private corporations that result to poor services, massive wastage and higher water rates," said in the statement of NO to Laiban Dam.

NO to Laiban Dam, Katribu Partylist and indigenous people from Rizal conducted a month-long protest camp out in front of the DENR and held actions at MWSS from January to February this year to oppose the Laiban Dam project of SMC.

"We remain vigilant. We will continue our opposition as the MWSS continues to seek out partners and funding for the controversial Laiban Dam project. We also challenge all the presidentiables and vice presidentiables in May 2010 election to stand with us in opposing the project. If they are truly for the interest of indigenous people and protection of the environment, opposing Laiban Dam project should be one of their environmental agenda," said Mr. Bautista.