Tumanduks to file raps vs NCIP-6 on dam project

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Members of the Tumanduk tribe in Calinog, Iloilo who are against the construction of mega-dam, known as the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project II in their area, will file a formal complaint against the personnel of the National Commission for Indigenous People-6 for alleged bribery and intimidation activities.

This was after they were advised by NCIP-6 Director Lealyn Gallardo and the NCIP's lawyer to file the complaint in their office for them to investigate and endorse this to the national office of the commission.

Hope Hervilla of Bayan-Panay who has been assisting the Tumanduk members said they could probably file the formal complaint after they finished gathering the signatures of those who oppose the dam construction.

Around 50 members of Tumanduk from Barangay Agcalaga in Calinog town went to Iloilo City on Thursday, and staged a rally in front of the NCIP-6 office regarding their complaint against NCIP-6 personnel and their opposition to the mega-dam project.

The Tumanduks claimed that NCIP-6 personnel intimidated them if they would not accept the alleged bribe in exchange for their consent to the construction of the mega-dam.

Two villages of Garangan and Masaroy in Calinog had opposed to the dam construction due to low compensation on the farmers’ destroyed crops and livelihood sources.

Those in the village of Agcalaga also approved a resolution of non-consent. This was done during the consensus building, as part of the 2nd Free, Prior and Informed Process being conducted by the NCIP.

“The project will kill us. It will take away our ancestral lands, the basis of our life,” said Berna Castor, one of the signatory in the resolution. — May Joven (FREEMAN)