Background

   Is it worth it to almost destroy our natural shield and displace a thousand of indigenous families for water supply? Kaliwa Dam is at 30% completion. It intends to tunnel the natural shield of Luzon, Sierra Madre. This is the long mountain range that is the only one that protects the Luzon from typhoons. Furthermore, Sierra Madre is a land that Dumagat Remontado Indigenous communities have claimed as their own ancestral domain because they have strong ties with the forest and the mountain range. Kaliwa Dam should be stopped as it doesn't guarantee that everyone will benefit from it, it threatens to displace our indigenous communities, and risk our only shield against typhoons. If the Kaliwa Dam is such a great project, why would the indigenous communities be against it?

 

   Firstly, the Kaliwa Dam is set to be built in Sierra Madre. It will benefit Metro Manila and nearby provinces as an additional water source. It will help store and manage excess rainwater that potentially cause flooding in food-prone areas of Metro Manila. As an environmentalist, you should be aware that there are many organisations and communities that are against the Kaliwa Dam project. This project threatens to harm the communities near it and the ecosystem of Sierra Madre. It will tunnel through the mountain range making it weak and therefore destroying it. The dam will submerge the 93 hectares of forest land as a way to store water but those lands are where the indigenous people lived along with the Kaliwa Watershed Forest Reserve which is a wildlife sanctuary with hundreds of endemic flora and fauna species. Therefore what is the point of building a project that causes more harm than good?

   Secondly, the Kaliwa Dam will displace the indigenous people. It is a dam that intends to hold water, this same water source will be the reason for loss of land, livelihood and sacred areas of these indigenous people. The Dumagat Remontado are indigenous people that chose to live in the mountains of Sierra Madre, therefore most of their livelihood is strongly connected with the forest. They existed first. They already have a community in the ancestral lands in Sierra Madre. The law respects the Indigenous people and lets them keep their ancestral domain. Moreover, the local Dumagat Remontado Indigenous communities have voiced out that they were not informed with the real impacts, they did not receive documents in their local language and were tricked into signing misleading consent forms. In absolute reality, no one will readily agree to flood their own land as a water supply for a community that lives 216 km away. If the Kaliwa Dam continues to be completed, this community will be displaced and forced to find a new place to live.

   Lastly, Greenpeace Philippines opposes the Kaliwa Dam project because it will further destroy vital ecosystems and biodiversity of Sierra Madre. The mountain range is already facing issues like deforestation, illegal logging and mining, the Kaliwa Dam is only another factor that aids climate change. The mountain range is a natural barrier against strong typhoons and removing it will leave our country vulnerable. Other than that, Sierra Madre is a vital ecosystem for our wildlife including the endangered Philippine Eagle. The Greenpeace Philippines have shared their stand with local human rights defenders and community members that agree to oppose Kaliwa Dam.

   In conclusion, Kaliwa Dam is a project that doesn't guarantee long term effectiveness. This project is a band-aid solution to the lacking water supply of Metro Manila and drought. There are many disadvantages of this project compared to the advantages. Moreso, the disadvantages are much more impactful and devastating compared to a secure water source. It will affect our ecosystem, indigenous people, wildlife and natural barriers against climate change. We are losing so much more in the future if the Kaliwa Dam continues to completion by 2027. We have to stop this project to protect our future.

Alternative water supply for Metro Manila:

Desalination water- Metro Manila is near the ocean and the city can get clean water both for drinking or everyday use. This is a process where salt and other impurities are removed so that the water can be safely used for human consumption.

Rainwater- The residents can harvest rainwater and use it for their own use.

Ilog Pasig - Metro Manila should be strict on keeping Ilog Pasig clean as it could be another source of water. It is a river that connects to the ocean and the city can benefit from it as an additional water source.

Alternative Water Sources | Department of Energy​ 

The pros and cons of Kaliwa Dam​

Greenpeace statement of support for Alay Lakad sa Kaliwa Dam​

No to Kaliwa Dam, Yes to Alternative Source of Water