Resolution passes allowing Gov Suarez to act against Kaliwa dam

by Raadee Sausa December 16, 2020 Gov. Danilo Suarez (Screengrab from  https:// we...

by Raadee Sausa
December 16, 2020

Gov. Danilo Suarez (Screengrab from https:// web.facebook.com/ savesierramadre/ videos/ 366344067960754/ video)

LUCENA CITY - The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Quezon has passed a resolution giving Gov. Danilo Suarez the authority to take necessary steps, on behalf of the provincial government, to stop the Kaliwa dam project.

The resolution was approved on November 27, with 11 of the 13 members of the provincial board, headed by Vice Gov. Samuel Nantes, voting for its passage.



Earlier, Suarez opposed the construction of Kaliwa dam as he warned of legal action against proponents of the said project.

"I’m with you, I don’t like Kaliwa dam either. If you would continue Kaliwa dam, I’d see you in court,” Suarez told members of the Save Sierra Madre network, which is also opposing the construction of Kaliwa dam in the town of Infanta.



“You have the support of your governor. This is my commitment to you. That will never go as long as I am the governor,” he added.

Suarez also questioned why the government would borrow money for the project.



“Why are we going to borrow money, and let the government ultimately pay the lender, when there are private sectors who can do the job without harming the government?” Suarez said.

In September, Presidential Adviser on Flagship Programs and Projects Vince Dizon said that Kaliwa dam is among the government's priority projects for water security.

In 2019, President Rodrigo Duterte gave the go-signal for the China-funded Kaliwa dam in Quezon province, saying it is the “last resort” for Metro Manila’s dwindling water supply.

But many groups expressed concern over the project as it would pose environmental issues to livelihoods and it would displace thousands of indigenous peoples.

Moreover, the Commission on Audit also raised questions over the Metro Manila Sewerage System’s issuance of a notice to proceed for the Kaliwa dam project, including “deficiencies” in some of the requirements related to consent from affected indigenous peoples.