Submerged ecosystems: How dams threaten Apayao’s rich biodiversity

(Part three of the investigative report on mega-dam projects in the Philippines and their effects on the lives of Indigenous people)

The Apayao River, flowing through the lush forests and mountainous terrain of Northern Luzon, is more than just a vital water source; it is the lifeblood of the Isnag, the Indigenous people of Apayao. For centuries, its waters have sustained their agriculture and way of life, fostering a profound connection between the land and its stewards.

Known for its mountainous landscapes and majestic rivers, the province of Apayao is celebrated for its rich biodiversity, home to numerous endemic species and Indigenous communities who serve as dedicated guardians of its natural heritage.

In July 2024, the province was designated as one of UNESCO’s Biosphere Reserves during the 36th session of the International Coordinating Council, the governing body of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Program. The council comprises 34 representatives from UNESCO Member States.

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Submerged Communities and Biodiversity

Apayao’s Biosphere Reserve, as designated by UNESCO, is under threat from Pan Pacific Renewable Power Phils. Corp.’s (PPRPPC) plan to construct eight dams across three municipalities—Pudtol, Kabugao, and Calanasan.

In PPRPPC’s presentations during the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) process assemblies for the Gened-1 project, obtained by local residents, the company downplayed concerns about the dam’s environmental impact. They estimated that only 1% or 936 hectares of Kabugao’s total land area would be affected by the project.

However, according to the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Gened-2, PPRPPC applied for 698.7 hectares under the Forest Land Use Agreement, which would cover the reservoir and other facilities. Combined, the 150 MW Gened-1 and 250 MW Gened-2 dams would impact more than 1,600 hectares of land—an area nearly equivalent to the size of the small city of Malabon in Metro Manila. This land would either be submerged by the reservoirs or cleared for infrastructure, including the dams and powerhouses.

Based on the projects’ EIS, the Gened-1 dam, with a capacity of 150 MW, will have a maximum height of 60 meters and a full supply level of 105 meters above sea level (masl), roughly the height of a 20-story building. The Gened-2 dam, with a capacity of 250 MW, will reach a maximum height of 94 meters and a full supply level of 190 masl, comparable to the height of a 31-story building.

According to the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Gened-2, several wildlife species classified as endangered or vulnerable on the IUCN Red List were identified within the project area. These include the Philippine hawk-eagle (Nisaetus philippensis), indigo-banded kingfisher (Ceyx cyanopectus), Philippine duck (Anas luzonica), rufous hornbill (Buceros hydrocorax), Philippine warty pig (Sus philippensis), and Philippine deer (Rusa marianna).

The EIS also identified endangered plant species such as pakong-buwaya (Cyathea contaminans) and alim (Melanolepis multiglandulosa) within the project area. Additionally, vulnerable species such as balakat-gubat (Balakata luzonica), balete (Kingiodendron alternifolium), dao (Dracontomelon dao), kamagong (Diospyros blancoi), lago (Prunus grisea), narra (Pterocarpus indicus), tanguile (Shorea polysperma), and white lauan (Shorea contorta) were also identified.

However, the EIS failed to specify how many of these plants and wildlife species could potentially perish or how many trees would be cut during construction.

According to the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Conner, Apayao, PPRPPC has already applied for tree-cutting permits for the Gened-2 project. A total of 1,496 trees from various species will be felled in the villages of Madatag, Dibagat, and Tuyangan to make way for hydropower infrastructure. In contrast, the CENRO in Calanasan, which has jurisdiction over the Gened-1 project site, reported that the company has not yet applied for tree-cutting permits for that area.

During a public hearing for Gened-2’s EIS held in October 2023 in Kabugao, environmental scientist Dr. Ruben Guieb highlighted deficiencies in the EIS.

“It is a technically deficient document, it did not use good science and therefore, it is inconclusive,” said Guieb.

He argued that the cost of the project’s environmental destruction, destroying wildlife, damaging culture, and the self-respect of the tribes, was not mentioned in the EIS. Therefore, it should not be used by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) as the basis to issue the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).

“People need to know the extent of the damage they will cause and that they’ll supposedly restore everything they’ve destroyed, but there’s no mention of that,” said Guieb.

PPRPPC declined to comment or grant an interview for this story.

Beyond the biodiversity that will be submerged upstream of the dams, the downstream flow of the Gened-1 dam will also be impacted once the river’s natural flow is restricted.

Engr. Jose Antonio Montalban, an environmental engineer from the group Pro-People Engineers and Leaders (PROPEL), warned of ecological consequences in the downstream area.

“That ecological area needs water to sustain its own life. There will be consequences regarding the habitat and freshwater resources when the area is affected, as well as impacts on the livelihoods of the people. It could lead to drought, and changes in the river stream due to the disruption of the natural stream features of the river system itself, all because of the dam construction,” explained Montalban in Filipino.

Disaster Waiting to Happen

PROPEL raised concerns about constructing dams in areas prone to ground shaking and landslides, warning that these conditions could lead to disaster.

According to HazardHuntersPH, the Gened-1 site is approximately 11.1 kilometers east of the Bangui Fault, while the Gened-2 site is approximately 4.6 kilometers west of the same fault line, making the project sites susceptible to ground shaking and earthquake-induced landslides. The National Operational Assessment of Hazards (NOAH) website also confirms that the landslide hazard level at the Gened-1 and Gened-2 dam sites is high.

Montalban, who reviewed Gened-2’s EIS, said that although the proponent acknowledged the proximity of the project site to the Bangui Fault and the prevalence of ground shaking, the only mitigation measure proposed was the reinforcement of the dam’s structural components.

The project’s EIS even concluded that “the geotechnical conditions are expected to be fair to favorable for the project execution.”

“But they did not include the augmentation of the reservoir’s geological features. So, what will be done to ensure, let’s say, that the reservoir won’t collapse? Because at some point, even if the dam itself isn’t damaged or disrupted by the fault line or any earthquake, the reservoir could still be compromised,” said Montalban.

He explained that if landslides occur within the watershed, rocks and other debris entering the reservoir would cause the water level to rise. With the reservoir holding such a large volume of water, the water would continuously seek a way to escape. “Then where will it flow or seep through, especially during the rainy season and when the reservoir’s water level is full?” he asked.

“It seems like there’s still no clear outline or, at least in the document, of what the mitigating measure is in case there are sudden hydrogeological changes when, let’s say, there’s an earthquake or changes in the fault line movement,” added Montalban.

For Montalban’s group, public participation is crucial in conceiving such projects to ensure that they benefit local communities rather than destroy their homes and environment.

“The people’s concerns or experiences are often disregarded. Especially for projects like these, it’s important to know and consider the people’s experiences,” said Montalban.

Exploring Viable Alternatives

The transition from fossil fuel dependence to renewable energy sources can be achieved without causing destructive impacts on the environment and Indigenous communities.

Sibol ng Agham at Teknolohiya (SIBAT), a non-profit organization focused on developing micro-hydropower technologies in remote areas of North Luzon and the Visayas, has demonstrated that renewable energy sources can be created to serve and benefit communities while preserving resources.

“This is one of the strategies for a just transition: off-grid decentralized or, in the government’s language, the missionary electrification areas,” said Shen Maglinte, Deputy Director of SIBAT.

According to Maglinte, the organization has developed a community-based renewable energy system (CBRES) that uses appropriate technology tailored to the resources, needs, and commitment of Indigenous communities. This approach enables communities to independently manage and sustain the system. By decentralizing power sources, large-scale power plants like mega-dams, which submerge communities and forests, can be avoided. At the same time, electricity can be distributed to consumers at an affordable cost.

“The people themselves determine how much they will pay, what they will use the electricity for, and how they will handle community members who are unable to pay. So here, we are implementing equitable social justice,” said Maglinte.

The group currently operates over 400 kW of capacity from micro-hydro power projects across 23 remote communities in Northern Luzon. Power generation ranges from 6.5 to 25 kW, providing electricity to 10 to 100 households per community. This electricity supports common appliances like washing machines and refrigerators. In communities with larger capacities, the power can also run agricultural machinery, such as rice mills and irrigation pumps, as well as tools for furniture making.

Maglinte explained that setting up a CBRES in a community costs between Php 1 to 6 million, depending on its capacity. He added that it is possible to replicate this system on a larger scale if the government invests in such initiatives.

Unfortunately, the government’s framework, including current laws and policies like the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2021—which privatizes the energy sector from generation to distribution—prohibits this kind of initiative.

“So until and unless you have to make a reform or restructure the framework and policy for national development, I think we will always go this way,” said Maglinte.

Longid echoed the sentiment, stating that unless EPIRA is scrapped, the government will continue to leave the energy industry to the private sector.

“It will become clear that the majority of these projects are going to be set up in Indigenous people’s territories, and it cannot be just the Indigenous communities fighting against this. All Filipinos, not just the directly affected indigenous communities, should come together and ask questions. This should be an effort of solidarity,” said Longid.

This story was made possible by a grant from Internews’ Earth Journalism Network through the Asian Center for Journalism at the Ateneo de Manila.