Balitang Southern Tagalog: Kaliwa Dam

GMA Regional TV

16 Aug 202303:12

Summary

TLDRIndigenous people in Quezon province express concern over the construction of a dam, fearing it will affect their ancestral land and livelihood. The dam's construction is linked to frequent flooding, and the community is worried about the environmental impact. The local government is taking action, with Quezon Governor Helen Tan planning to engage with government agencies to address the issue. The Manila Water Sewerage System (MWSS) aims for the dam to be fully operational by 2027, but the indigenous community and farmers fear losing their water sources. The provincial government is committed to resolving the issue, ensuring the voices of the indigenous people are heard.

Takeaways

🏗️ The construction of a dam is affecting the indigenous people's ancestral land, causing changes to their traditional way of life.
🌧️ Frequent flooding is now a common issue for the locals, especially during heavy rains, which is a new problem attributed to the dam construction.
🌿 The environment has been altered, with many changes reported by the indigenous people, including the absence of insects that used to be present.
🛣️ The construction of an access road for the dam is a concern for the locals, as it may lead to further environmental degradation.
💧 The dam project is expected to impact water supply, potentially causing farmers to lose access to water sources.
🏭 The Manila Water Sewerage System (MWSS) is involved in the dam project, with over 20 boreholes planned, aiming for full operation by 2027.
🏞️ The dam's construction is a concern for the indigenous people of General Nakar and Infanta, who rely on the land for farming and fishing.
🙌 There is an ongoing campaign by the group 'Alm Dam' to represent the interests of the indigenous people, farmers, and fishers, advocating for a halt to the dam construction.
🏛️ The provincial government is taking action, with Quezon Governor Helen Tan planning to communicate with government agencies to address the dam's impact.
🗣️ There is a call for the indigenous people's voices to be heard and for the dam project to be discussed and managed in a peaceful manner.

Q & A

What is the main concern of the indigenous people regarding the construction of the dam?
-The indigenous people are concerned that the construction of the dam will affect their ancestral domain and change their way of life, as it has already led to frequent flooding during heavy rains.
What is the current situation of the indigenous people's environment due to the dam construction?
-The environment of the indigenous people has been altered, with many changes occurring in their surroundings. The construction has resulted in the displacement of insects and other creatures, and there is a fear that the situation will worsen with the construction affecting Rizal and Quezon.
What are the potential impacts of the dam construction on the local farmers and fishermen?
-The construction of the dam could lead to the loss of water sources for local farmers and fishermen, affecting their livelihoods. The indigenous people and other sectors are worried about the potential negative effects on their daily lives.
What is the timeline for the dam and sewerage system to become fully operational?
-The Manila Water Sewerage System (MWSS) mentioned that the dam and sewerage system are expected to be fully operational by the year 2027.
What actions are being taken by the local groups to address the construction of the dam?
-Local groups, including indigenous people, farmers, and fishermen, are taking action to halt the construction of the dam. They are advocating for their concerns to be heard and for the construction to be stopped.
What is the role of the provincial government in addressing the concerns about the dam construction?
-The provincial government is actively involved in addressing the concerns. They are making efforts to communicate with the concerned agencies and are not leaving the issue unattended.
What was the response from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) when asked about the dam construction?
-The DNR stated that they have ordered a halt to the construction during that time, but the exact nature of the order and its current status are unclear.
What is the role of the media in this situation, as mentioned in the script?
-The media, specifically Southern Tagalog Regional TV, is playing a role in reporting the issue and attempting to obtain statements from the MWSS and other relevant parties to provide more information to the public.
What is the main goal of the rally or gathering mentioned in the script?
-The main goal of the rally is to seek a peaceful resolution and discussion of the dam construction project, emphasizing the importance of hearing the voices of the indigenous people and other affected groups.
What is the stance of Quezon Governor Helen Tan on the dam construction?
-Governor Helen Tan of Quezon has assured that she will personally communicate with government agencies to address the concerns regarding the dam construction.

Outlines

00:00

🏞️ Impact of Dam Construction on Indigenous Communities

Indigenous people from the area express concerns over the construction of the Kaliwa Dam, which they say is affecting their ancestral lands. The once peaceful and quiet place has become a site of change, with their way of life being disrupted since the beginning. There are no more people or insects visiting the area freely, and the construction has led to significant environmental changes. The main issue highlighted is the increased flooding during heavy rains, which is becoming more frequent. The indigenous people blame the dam construction for the destruction of their environment. The construction is set to affect Rizal and Quezon, with the Manila Water Sewerage System (MWSS) stating that over 20 villages will be fully operational by 2027. The indigenous people, farmers, and fisherfolk are worried about the impact on their livelihoods, fearing water scarcity. A group called 'Aling Kta' is advocating for the indigenous, farmers, and other sectors to halt the construction of the dam. They are seeking dialogue with government agencies to address their concerns. The Quezon Governor, Helen Tan, assures that she will personally communicate with the concerned agencies. Initial information from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) suggests that there are orders for a halt on construction, but there is confusion about the details. The Provincial Government is actively seeking a statement from MWSS, and the situation is being reported by Southern Tagalog Regional TV, with Andrew Bernardo covering the story.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Construction

Construction refers to the process of building or assembling infrastructure. In the video's context, it is a significant issue as it is causing disruptions to the indigenous people's way of life. The construction of a dam is mentioned, which is affecting their environment and causing frequent flooding when it rains heavily.

💡Indigenous People

Indigenous people are the native inhabitants of a particular place, often with a distinct culture and traditions. The video discusses how the construction of a dam is impacting their ancestral domain, changing their lifestyle, and causing concerns about their future.

💡Environmental Impact

Environmental impact refers to the effects of a project or activity on the environment. The script mentions that the construction has led to changes in the environment, which in turn affects the indigenous people's daily life and their access to resources like water.

💡Flooding

Flooding is the overflow of water that submerges land which is usually dry. The video script describes how the construction of the dam has resulted in frequent flooding, which is a significant concern for the indigenous people as it disrupts their living conditions.

💡Dam Construction

Dam construction involves building a barrier across a river to store water. The script highlights the construction of a dam as a central issue, with concerns about its impact on the local environment and the indigenous community's well-being.

💡Rizal and Quezon

Rizal and Quezon are provinces in the Philippines. The script mentions that the construction of the dam will affect these areas, indicating the geographical scope of the project's impact.

💡Manila Water Sewerage System (MWSS)

MWSS is a government agency responsible for water and sewerage services in Metro Manila. The script refers to MWSS in the context of the dam construction, suggesting that the agency is involved in the project, which is expected to be fully operational by 2027.

💡Ancestral Domain

An ancestral domain refers to the lands traditionally owned, occupied, or used by indigenous communities. The video discusses how the construction of the dam is affecting the ancestral domain of the indigenous people, potentially leading to displacement and loss of cultural heritage.

💡Farmers

Farmers are individuals who work in agriculture and cultivate land to produce crops. The script mentions that farmers are among those who will be affected by the dam construction, as they rely on the water from the river for their livelihood.

💡Protests and Advocacy

Protests and advocacy refer to actions taken to express objections or support for a cause. The video script indicates that there are groups advocating for the indigenous people, farmers, and fisherfolk, aiming to halt the construction of the dam and protect their rights.

💡Government Agencies

Government agencies are administrative units responsible for implementing policies and managing public services. The script mentions that the provincial government and other agencies are involved in addressing the concerns raised by the indigenous people and others affected by the dam construction.

Highlights

Indigenous people are affected by the construction of the Kaliwa Dam.

Their once free and peaceful land has become a construction site.

The construction has led to changes in their way of life.

The indigenous people have not experienced any insect infestations or other people visiting their land before the construction.

The construction has caused a different atmosphere, with the indigenous people now facing the presence of the construction workers.

Frequent flooding is now a common occurrence due to the construction, especially during heavy rains.

The indigenous people blame the construction for the frequent landslides.

The construction of the dam is expected to affect the water supply of Rizal and Quezon, as stated by Manila Water Sewerage System (MWSS).

The dam and the sewerage system are expected to be fully operational by 2027.

The construction will have a significant impact on the indigenous people, farmers, and fishermen in the area.

Farmers are concerned about losing their water sources due to the dam construction.

The group 'Aling Kta' is fighting to protect the rights of the indigenous people, farmers, fishermen, and other sectors affected by the dam construction.

The construction of the dam in Quezon is a priority, and the group is calling for a halt to the construction.

The construction of the access road to General Nakar is believed to be the beginning of the dam construction.

The provincial government is not ignoring the issue and is making efforts to address it.

Initial information from the Department of Natural Resources (DENR) suggests that the construction is not in compliance with certain regulations.

The provincial government is assured to not abandon the issue and is working on getting a statement from MWSS.

Quezon Governor Helen Tan is personally involved in communicating with government agencies regarding the dam construction.