by Sentinel Times Research Group July 25, 2021 Quezon Governor Danilo Suarez (Photo from his FB Page) LUCENA CITY - As the Judas price of $2...
July 25, 2021
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| Quezon Governor Danilo Suarez (Photo from his FB Page) |
LUCENA CITY - As the Judas price of $238.3 million given out by the Export-Import Bank of China as loan had changed hands as early as 2019, the outgoing Malacañang tenant and his lieutenants are in rush-rush-rush mode to get the Kaliwa Dam project carried out ASAP.
The China-backed undertaking broke ground in Rizal, Quezon this month as initial move to get the joint venture project of the the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and China Energy Engineering Corporation underway, fueling the ire of both local government officials and common townsfolk who have perennially mounted vehement opposition to the project.
Quezon Governor Danilo Suarez has vowed that as long he is the chief executive of the province, he will oppose the construction of the dam: “If you would continue Kaliwa Dam, I’d see you in court.”
Residents of Real, Infanta and General Nakar towns (or REINA) and indigenous Remontados and Dumagat groups have opposed the Kaliwa dam, because of the tragic flash flood and mudslides that inundated their areas on November 29, 2004, killing more than a thousand people.
Expressing his displeasure over the China loan, Suarez asks, “Why are we going to borrow money, and let the government ultimately pay the lender, when there are private sector groups who can do the job without harming the government?"
The leadership of the local Catholic church in Quezon also reiterated its opposition to the project, saying the fight was a matter of survival of the people.
Bishop Bernardino Cortez of Infanta reiterated that the Kaliwa Dam project would pose risks to lowland agricultural and fishing communities with a history of flash flooding.
“So you will understand that, by geography, our very survival depends on the care of our mountains, forests, rivers, protection of mangroves and seashores,” Cortez said.
Cortez urged the government to instead look for alternative sources of water, such as watershed rehabilitation and improving existing dams and water facilities.
In a privileged speech before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Quezon 1st District Board Member Claro ‘Jerry’ Talaga disclosed that groundbreaking rite for the Kaliwa dam project was conducted in Rizal.
“Ang groundbreaking ng Kaliwa Dam project ay malinaw na hudyat ng pagsisimula upang maitayo ang higanteng dam na ito na sisipsip sa tinatayang 600 milyong litro ng tubig kada araw sa ating Kaliwa River sa bahagi ng Bgy. Pagsangahan, Gen. Nakar at Bgy. Magsaysay, Infanta, Quezon upang dalhin ang tubig at punan ang kakulangan ng supply sa kalakhan ng Metro Manila”, said Talaga.
Talaga cited that up to 21.7 kilometers of long tunnel will have to be excavated for the project, among the big-ticket projects of the national government under the ‘Build, Build, Build’ scheme of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
He recalled that on November 17, 2020, Quezon Governor Danilo Suarez in a speech at Infanta town plaza categorically expressed his blatant opposition to the project and even warned to take legal action once the Dam construction continues.
DENR has issued an environmental compliance certificate giving the go-ahead for the contested Kaliwa Dam project in the Sierra Madre mountain range,
The EIC is marred by controversy as a government-conducted environmental impact assessment shows that the dam’s reservoir "will endanger endemic wildlife and plants, drive massive species migration, and pose risks to lowland agricultural and fishing communities with a history of flash flooding."
The site of the planned dam falls within the Kaliwa watershed forest reserve, designated as natural wildlife park sanctuary and game refuge, and an International Union for Conservation of Nature,Category V Protected Landscape/Seascape.
A November 2019 report cites that President Rodrigo Duterte also warned of the use of his “extraordinary powers” to push the project through.
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