THE Sangguniang Panglalawigan (SP) of Quezon province moved to conduct an investigation on the construction of the P12.2-Billion Kaliwa Dam project, seek queries on various provincial government agencies up to the Regional Development Council regarding any documents concerning the approval of the dam project, with a special committee to conduct hearings on it.
In a privilege speech at the SP regular session on Friday, First District's Claro ‘Jerry’ Talaga Jr. dropped the bombshell about the groundbreaking event that happened in Rizal province which signals the start of the construction of the KD project.
Si BM Talaga ay tumayo “upang ipabatid na ang mariing tinututulang Kaliwa Dam Project na itatayo sa nasasakupan ng ating lalawigan ay nakapagsagawa na ng groundbreaking noong ika-29 ng Hunyo.” He added that it is a clear indication of the start of construction of the giant dam that would siphon off an estimated 600 million liters of water a day from the Kaliwa River in Sitio Yokyok, Baykuran and Makid-ata in Bgy. Pagsangahan in General Nakar town and in Sitio Queboroza in Bgy. Magsaysay in adjacent Infanta town to solve the water woes in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
Speaking before his 12 SP colleagues headed by Presiding Officer and Vice Gov. Sam Nantes, Talaga recalled that Gov. Danilo Suarez expressed on Nov. 17 last year his firm opposition and solidarity with various groups who are protesting against the construction of the KD project in Quezon province.
“Sa video na inilabas ng Save Sierra Madre Network (SSMN) sa kanilang Facebook account ay malinaw at matapang na sinabi ng Gobernador: “I am with you, I don’t like Kaliwa Dam either. I don’t agree with Kaliwa at all. If you would continue Kaliwa Dam, I’d see you in court’,” said Talaga quoting Governor Suarez who, at the conference room in Infanta town, had committed his opposition and vowed to take legal action if the KD project is pushed through before anti-KD groups which included SSMN, Alyansa Laban sa Mapaniil ng Dam and STOP Kaliwa Dam Network (SKDN).
Citing the news report on the FB Online page of Opinyon Quezonin, Talaga said that the KD proponent, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) has asked a building permit for its field office in Infanta but it was rejected as it has no zoning clearance from the municipal government and permit from the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB).
The Opinyon Quezonin first broke the news in its FB page about the groundbreaking event which took place in Bgy. Dalig, Teresa, Rizal.
Talaga learned that the construction of a 12-km. access road from Marilaque Road (Km. 91) up to the dam site in Sitio Queboroza, Bgy. Magsaysay in Infanta has also already been completed.
Talaga also disclosed that last Mar. 11, the SKDN has filed a formal suit against the MWSS, DPWH and other government agencies at RTC Br. 65 in Infanta on alleged violations and irregularities in the construction of the Access Road such as the absence of permits and clearances.
The indigenous tribal groups of Dumagat-Remontado have a pending complaint at the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples on the conduct of free, prior and informed consent by the MWSS last week of May.
Talaga pressed Suarez to pursue to take the necessary legal steps as the latter had vowed last year in order to stop the KD project.
Third district board member Donaldo ‘Jet’ Suarez, meanwhile noted that during the administration of his brother, former Gov. David ‘Jayjay’ Suarez, “the provincial government dutifully done its role in providing the best solutions to their constituents especially concerning any project that requires for it to share the resources of the province.”
BM Alona Obispo confirmed her presence in Infanta last year when the governor aired his opposition, adding that all the previous 3 governors have expressed opposition to the Kaliwa dam – Wilfrido Enverga, Rafael Nantes, and David Suarez.
Obispo also said that REINA (Real, Infanta and Gen. Nakar) areas where the KD project is located will be very vulnerable as it serves as ‘catchbasin’ from any occurrences of flood and landslides.
According to the STOP Kaliwa Dam, the project may cause flooding in watersheds below in several areas in Tanay, Rizal; and in Real and Infanta in Quezon.
Talaga said that up to 21.7 kms. long tunnel will have to be excavated in the New Centennial Water Kaliwa Dam Project, a joint venture between the MWSS and China Energy Engineering Co. and is among the big-ticket projects of the national government under the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program of the Duterte administration. Water will be pumped in the tunnel to reach Rizal province and Metro Manila.
The issue has driven fellow board members Elizabeth Sio, Romano Talaga, Rhodora ‘Dhoray’ Tan, Roderick Magbuhos, Isaias ‘Sonny’ Ubana, Reynan Arrogancia, Angelo Duarte and Ireneo ‘Boyong’ Boongaling – politically divided into minority and majority camps particularly on the reenacted provincial annual budget -- to close ranks and express support for Talaga’s proposal to create a committee of the whole of the SP to conduct the proper investigation.
Second district board member Maria Yllana ‘Yna’ Liwanag-Asistio and Sangguniang Kabataan provincial federation president Irish Armando were absent at the physical session.