Drilon assures IPs of houses, jobs, livelihood

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Senate President Franklin Drilon, an Ilonggo, has assured indigenous peoples -directly affected by the P11.2-billion Jalaur River Multipurpose Dam Project Phase II in Calinog, Iloilo-of a relocation site, houses, jobs and sustainable livelihood.

Drilon said the National Irrigation Administration is the overall in-charge for the relocated IPs. "This is not a problem. The NIA will be taking care of them and everybody who will be displaced and relocated will be provided of a better livelihood and other means to sustain their lives," he said.

Drilon said the first out of three dams will be completed by 2016 or before the term of President Nonoy Aquino will end, while the two other dams will also be constructed one after the other.

The senator assured that the project will continue even after Aquino's term because this is covered with a memorandum of agreement and laws authorizing the construction of Jalaur dam.

Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr., for his part, also assured IPs that they will get his support. Only this week, the governor met with officials of national government agencies in a discussion that was participated by more than 100 IP leaders at the Iloilo Capitol.

Defensor said the meeting was an opportunity of the IPs to know about the various government aids, particularly on housing, employment and livelihood that will be given to them once they will be displaced.

TESDA has provided a two-week skills training to 150 IPs in May last year in preparation for 70,000 available jobs soon. The NHA had also assured IPs of houses that will be built at a cost of P 175, 000 each. (FREEMAN)