Chico dam project suspended

NATIONAL Commission on Indigenous Peoples regional director Ronald Calde has ruled to resolve all impasses before proceeding with the Kalinga Chico river project.

Calde said the project of the San Lorenzo Ruiz Builders and Developers Group Inc. has been formally suspended due to internal conflict with the community.

The NCIP official said if and when these conflicts are resolved, it is only when the project will continue its Free, Prior and Informed onsent [FPIC] process.

Last year, Kalinga elders submitted a petition of protest for the 52MW hydroelectric dam project. Sig-

natories include members of the Naneng, Dallak and Minanga sub tribes and the residents of sitio Banat, Bagumbayan who have land directly to be affected by the project.

San Lorenzo Ruiz Builders and Developers Group Inc. has also applied for an Environmental Compliance Certificate with the Environmental Management Bureau – Cordillera of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Jonas Azuelo, spokesperson of the San Lorenzo Builders and Developers Group said there has been no communication from the NCIP about the suspension of the proceedings.

“We are continuing the permitting process for the FPIC and the ECC,” added Azuelo.

The project and its protests have been likened to the historic Macliing Dulag opposition for hydroelectric dam project along the Chico River.

Azuelo said the project is different from the situation during the time of Macli-ing Dulag.

“We are not proposing to build three 160 meter high storage dams that will flood thousands of hectares affecting entire communities. Our project is a runof-river hydropower project with a weir/ dam height of 25 meters that will not flood a single community or house under water,” quipped Azuelo