Indigenous communities and environmental advocates have condemned the government’s approval of an additional ₱3.1 billion for the Kaliwa Dam Project, raising its total cost to ₱15.3 billion.
The Stop Kaliwa Dam Network (SKDN) said the decision by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board, chaired by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., ignored unresolved violations involving environmental compliance and Indigenous Peoples’ rights.
“The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) has consistently failed to comply with the essential requirements of its Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC),” the group said.
“Construction continues without fulfilling conditions meant to safeguard the environment, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities — a betrayal of public trust and environmental stewardship,” it added.
Indigenous leader Marcelino Tena of SAGIBIN-LN questioned the rationale behind the new funding. “From my perspective, why add more funds when the NCIP has already committed many violations regarding FPIC? There should be no added budget — the Kaliwa Dam should be stopped.”
The network alleged that the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) process was manipulated, with genuine opposition from Dumagat-Remontado communities excluded.
SKDN also criticized the disbursement of a ₱160 million “disturbance fee,” saying it lacked transparency and created division among Indigenous groups.
The Kaliwa Dam Project is an integrated dam system involving the construction of a dam on the Kaliwa River in Rizal province and a smaller dam downstream in Quezon province.
The project site falls within two adjoining Dumagat ancestral domains and will reportedly displace at least 15,000 tribal people.
The project got its funding from a US$248 million loan from China and is one of 75 flagship infrastructure projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program of the government of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
