NCIP stops power plant construction

SABANGAN, Mt. Province, Philippines - – The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) has issued a 20-day temporary restraining order (TRO) stopping the Hydroelectric Power Corp. (Hedcor) to construct a power plant in Barangay Napua here.

The TRO, which was issued on May 2, was in response to the petition filed by the Napua Sabangan United Guides Association (NSUGA), who said the power plant encroached on their ancestral domain and in violation of the Free and Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) as provided under the Indigenous People’s Rights Act, which is required for development projects that would affect indigenous people.

NSUGA earlier filed a P55-million damage suit against Hedcor, Sta. Clara International Drill Corp. and NCIP–Mt. Province for the destruction of cultural and historical sites, pollution of environment, among other damages over the planned hydroelectric power plant.

Meanwhile, the Sabangan community municipal monitoring team (SCMT) noted no engineered dumpsite, employ of push-to-slope method and construction of permanent materials in the area during its recent inspection.

The SCMT wants to have an audience with Hedcor along with a people’s forum on the planned power plant, particularly on reported violations in  the environmental compliance certificate and FPIC with the Tinmakudo tribe.

SCMT chairman Fausto Ballakis said Hedcor has not adequately responded to its promise to prevent pouring of the soil and spoils from construction of access roads down the Chico River.

NSUGA said the wearing down of boulders destroyed Napua’s major tourist attractions, including the Nanbayo Falls, Minting Cave, Sentimental Rock, pathways and other falls and pools along the Chico River.

A 25-year memorandum of agreement between Hedcor and the Sabangan local government unit calls on Hedcor to initiate measures “to protect and preserve the forest and water resources within the town.