Ground Zero (A short documentary about the China funded Kaliwa Dam project)

Summary

Amy Astoveza, a Remontado Indigenous woman, shares her community's deep connection to the Sierra Madre mountains and the Agos River. They rely on the river for water, fishing, and farming, which are central to their traditions and livelihoods. The proposed Kaliwa Dam threatens their way of life, potentially submerging their lands and disrupting their access to water and ancestral burial grounds. The community fears losing their cultural practices and faces intimidation and accusations of being leftists for opposing the dam. They yearn to maintain their freedom and continue their traditional lifestyle without external interference.

Takeaways

• 🏞️ The indigenous community of Sierra Madre relies heavily on the river for their livelihood, including drinking water, farming, and fishing.
• 🚫 The community strongly opposes the Kaliwa Dam project, fearing it will disrupt their water sources and threaten their traditions and culture.
• 🌾 Traditional farming practices like collective planting (pasik) and crop cultivation are integral to their way of life.
• 🐟 Fishing is a significant activity, providing food and a sense of community through sharing catches.
• 👶 Traditional birthing practices are still observed due to financial constraints, despite the lack of formal medical licenses.
• 💧 The community actively maintains the cleanliness and potability of their water sources, which are crucial for daily needs.
• 🚫 The construction of the dam is seen as a threat to their access to water, potentially leading to restrictions or prohibitions in the future.
• 🏞️ The dam project could lead to the submersion of their lands, affecting not only the indigenous community but also downstream areas.
• 🏡 The community is concerned about the loss of their ancestral burial grounds and the erosion of their cultural heritage.
• 🛣️ There are reports of forced displacement and accusations of political affiliations, which intimidate community members and suppress their opposition to the dam.
• 🏡 The promise of housing units is met with skepticism, as it threatens their primary livelihood of planting and the community's autonomy.

Q & A

What is the significance of the river to the Indigenous Peoples of Sierra Madre?

The river is crucial for the Indigenous Peoples of Sierra Madre as it serves as their primary source of water for drinking and washing. It also provides a means of livelihood through fishing, which is an integral part of their culture and daily sustenance.

Why do the Indigenous Peoples reject the Kaliwa Dam project?

They reject the Kaliwa Dam because they believe it will lead to the disappearance of their traditions and cultures, as well as disrupt their access to water sources, potentially submerging their communities and affecting their way of life.

What is Amy Astoveza's cultural background?

Amy Astoveza identifies as a Remontado, which means she is of mixed heritage, being half Tagalog and half Indigenous.

What are some of the crops planted by the community in Sierra Madre?

The community in Sierra Madre plants crops such as cassava, sweet potatoes, and bananas.

How does the community engage in farming practices?

The community practices collective farming, where they participate in activities like 'pasik' or community rice planting, where members join in throwing seeds after slash and burn techniques.

What types of fish can be found in the Agos River according to the transcript?

The Agos River is home to various types of fish, including carp, large tilapia, bakyu, mamuntok, balitag, and shrimp.

How does the community utilize the fish they catch from the river?

The community uses the fish as a food source, especially when they have nothing else to eat with rice. They do not sell the fish but instead share it with their neighbors, reflecting their tradition of not being selfish.

What is the community's concern regarding the construction of the Kaliwa Dam?

The community is concerned that the construction of the Kaliwa Dam will lead to the loss of their water sources, affect their access to the Agos River, and potentially submerge their communities, causing displacement and the loss of their traditional way of life.

How does the community maintain the cleanliness and potability of their water sources?

The community ensures the cleanliness and potability of their water sources by removing weeds from the streams when the water level is low, emphasizing the importance of maintaining water quality.

What impact does the dam project have on the community's access to their traditional practices and lands?

The dam project threatens the community's access to their traditional practices and lands by potentially restricting their movement and control over the lands, which are essential for their livelihood and cultural practices.

What are the community's concerns regarding the protection of their burial grounds?

The community is worried that the dam project might lead to the desecration of their ancestral burial grounds, which are located near the river banks and hold significant cultural and spiritual importance.

How does the presence of security forces affect the community's daily life?

The presence of security forces, including soldiers and checkpoints, restricts the community's freedom of movement and creates an atmosphere of fear, with residents being accused of affiliations with the New People's Army (NPA) and facing strict identification checks.