TABUK CITY, Kalinga – A Field Based Investigation (FBI) was recently conducted for the cultural communities of Dallak, Biga and Nanong for the proposed 45 megawatt (MW) run of river hydro power plant in the city.
National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Provincial Director Natividad Sugguiyao said the FBI is in response to the issuance of certification precondition (CP) application for said electric power project by proponent San Lorenzo Ruiz Builders and Developers Group (SLRB), Inc. as endorsed by the Department of Energy on March 23, 2015.
This precedes the conduct of a free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) process in the identified impact areas. The process recognizes the community’s right to give or withhold its consent to proposed projects that may affect lands they customarily own and occupy, and their communal life.
Sugguiyao said NCIP Kalinga received work order No WO-16-049 dated November 7, 2016 on November 11, 2016 for the Kalinga team to conduct a FBI on the said project proposed. The activity would provide the venue for the initial listing of council of elders who will be representing the cultural communities. The list could be changed if the community sees the need to do so during an assembly.
The FBI also intends to determine the effects of the project or activity, and the number of indigenous people and communities that will be affected, and to pre-determine their issues and concerns relative to the project.
“Be rest assured that there will be no decision without your consent,” Suguiyao underscored during the FBI consultations.
As proposed, the 45 MW Lucog Chico River Hydroelectric Power Project will be located along the barangays of Lucog, Naneng and Bagumbayan of Tabuk City. This will have a reservoir storage of 14 million cubic meters. Components of the proposed project include a 35 meter high reservoir, a power house including its yard etc., road, substation, and road right of way transmission for the 69KV lines.** Geraldine G. Dumallig
