Church leaders in the province of Quezon renewed their opposition to the building of a multibillion-peso mega dam in the area, saying the fight is a matter of survival for the people.
Bishop Bernardino Cortez of Infanta said the Kaliwa Dam project poses risks to lowland agricultural and fishing communities.
The Prelature of Infanta, which covers the northern part of Quezon and the province of Aurora, lies along the Sierra Madre Mountain Range on the east of the Pacific Ocean.
The area is home to the Dumagats, an indigenous tribal community in the highlands of Infanta.
“You will understand by geography that our very survival depends on the care of our mountains, forests, rivers, protection of mangroves and seashores,” said Bishop Cortez.
The 12.2-billion peso China-funded Kaliwa Dam is among the government’s priority projects aimed at addressing Metro Manila’s water woes.
Bishop Cortez, however, said the dam will pose danger to the environment as the project falls within the Kaliwa Watershed Forest Reserve.
He called on the government to instead look for alternative sources of water, such as watershed rehabilitation and improving existing dams and water facilities.
“We hope and pray that our people in this ‘Jubilee for the Earth’ will develop a new mindset and a paradigm shift in our care and use of the common home,” he said.
In February, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines added its voice to those against the dam construction.
The bishops called for a “proper review” of the project “to correct its flawed procedures.”
