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Philippine Dam Crisis: Contending the Deferment of the Laiban Dam Project 2013
Bulacan State University
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
City of Malolos, Bulacan
Philippine Dam Crisis: Contending the
Deferment of the Laiban Dam Project
BY
ALMAZAN, Erwin V.
ATIENZA, Joel Jeremiah G.
BERSABAL, Marvin R.
EUGENIO, Darwin B.
TOLOSA, Andrew Ian Grey J.
Group 6, ECE 4-A
(Accomplished August 16, 2013 in compliance to the requirements of the academic
program “Environmental and Safety Engineering”, 1st Semester, SY 2013-2014)
Philippine Dam Crisis: Contending the Deferment of the Laiban Dam Project 2013
Abstract
Dams were once considered as prime catalysts to the advancement of human
progress, harnessing commercial value from arid rivers at the expense, however, of the
riparian people and environment within and beyond. In the Philippines, watersheds play a
vital role of supplying agricultural, domestic, and industrial water especially to the urban
population of Metro Manila. Such dependence led to the framing of the Laiban Dam
Project, seeking to inundate the ecologically-fit Sierra Madre share of Tanay in Rizal
where at least 4,413 families of indigenous Dumagats and Remontados find more than
home in such grounds they contend as their heritage. Upon dealing with such conflicts
and other downstream consequences, this research study attempts to analyze relevant
information regarding costs and expenses, land sustainability, probable risks, ecological
factors, ethical considerations, and the existence of feasible alternatives and conservation
measures which would prevent the construction of Laiban Dam.
Keywords: dam project, indigenous people, water crisis, sustainable development,
downstream consequences, environmental hazards, ancestral domain, dam alternatives
Discussion
The existence of dams has undeniably been beneficial in sustaining the looming
necessities of humanity by fulfilling the purposes of, but is not limited to, supplying
industrial and domestic water, irrigation and drinking water, flood control, inland
navigation, fish farming, recreation, and hydroelectric power. Accordingly, dams were
once hailed as symbols of human advancement worldwide, trending to its peak in the
Philippine Dam Crisis: Contending the Deferment of the Laiban Dam Project 2013
1970s when a mean of two or three large dams were contrived to rise each day. However,
the expensive cost of their construction and maintenance was rationalized to the direct
and indirect services they provide. Dams adversely modify the environmental and social
patterns of riverine communities including its resources - transferring benefits from local
settlers to a new range of consumers, ergo, bringing up global debates from such conflicts
(World Commission on Dams [WCD], 2000). In the Philippines, watersheds are
predominant in the goal of supplying agricultural, domestic, and industrial waters to
various parts of the country especially to the urban population of Metro Manila, which
pipes 98 per cent of its water requirements from Angat Dam in Bulacan. Due to such
dependence, the Philippine government organized a task force that would search for a
secondary water supply source. In 1978, Kaliwa River in Laiban, Rizal was chosen as the
most viable for dam feasibility studies. However, the plan was deferred by the end of
1989, commencing a cycle of planning and re-planning which delayed the project until
press time.
The Laiban Dam Project, a joint venture of the Metropolitan Waterworks and
Sewerage System (MWSS) and the San Miguel Corporation, is a multi-purpose water
supply and power generation scheme. Initially called Kaliwa River Basin Project, it is set
to be Metro Manila's second major source of water next to Angat Dam. The watershed
aims to produce 1,900 million liters per day (MLD) of domestic and industrial water plus
some 25 megawatts (MW) of hydro-electric power supply initially assumed to serve
690,000 households in Rizal and Southern Metro Manila. It will be situated within the
Kaliwa River Basin (east of Metro Manila), inundating 28,000 hectares of the
ecologically-fit Sierra Madre share of Tanay in Rizal. Affected barangays from Tanay
Philippine Dam Crisis: Contending the Deferment of the Laiban Dam Project 2013
would be Laiban (the one mostly populated), San Andres, Cayabu, Sto Nino, Tinucan,
Mamuyao, and Sta. Ines. The site would even reach the Quezon Province (Barangay
Limutan) as the dam shall divert and trap water from a 276 square-kilometer watershed
formed by Lenatin and Limutan rivers. Consequently, the rise of the 113-m high rockfill
dam will displace at least 4,413 indigenous families into the 4,424 hectares of
resettlement area in San Ysiro, Antipolo City by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No.
2480. Presently, diversion tunnels for the rivers, some land acquisitions and
compensations for above-ground improvements, and updates of bid documents were
completed.
Figure 1: Laiban dam location. (Source: MWSS Laiban Dam Project Profile)
Philippine Dam Crisis: Contending the Deferment of the Laiban Dam Project 2013
Costs and expenses
The main reason why the dam is being proposed is to secure water resources and
the anticipation of a water crisis in Metro Manila. MWSS stated that Laiban Dam is the
answer to the scarcity on 2015 when deficit was estimated to reach 1,600 MLD.
However, the high costs allocated and the project dealings "mulled with secrecy" raised
controversies on the real purpose of the scheme. In 2007, the dam was approved at a cost
of P48 billion. A couple of years after, San Miguel Bulk Water Company, Inc. offered an
unsolicited proposal to sponsor the project, lifting the price to P52 billion. It was an
uncontested bid. Furthermore, an alleged collection of “advance tariffs” from water
consumers to finance the dam construction was critically challenged, bannering an issue
about denial of fairness to patrons who already paid for a project that has not even barely
started (Lingao, 2009; Mallari Jr., 2013). Through a public-private partnership scheme,
MWSS revealed in 2013 a revamped plan they termed as the New Centennial Water
Source Project (NCWS), amounting up to P85 billion to compensate the plan of
constructing one or two dams, including one main dam (Laiban Dam) and/or one
regulator dam downstream (Kaliwa Dam). This is alongside the P15-billion distribution
facility and treatment plant and the P5.3-billion improvement on the Angat Dam, both in
Bulacan (Mayuga, 2013).
Ecological biodiversity and sustainable development at stake
A rich ecology hosting a diverse flora and fauna is endangered with the pursuance
of Laiban Dam. The land’s biodiversity include animals like wild boar, deer, snake, and
monkey. Land use particularly in Laiban is mainly agriculture, and even in the absence of
Philippine Dam Crisis: Contending the Deferment of the Laiban Dam Project 2013
industrialization, it was found to be sustainable and capable of development without
destroying its environment (Crucio & Parayno, undated). They plant fruits including
pineapple and papaya, as well as crops like bananas, coconuts, corn, and palay (which
they grow without the use of artificial fertilizers and pesticides), among others. Their
livestock consists of chickens, goats, cows, and horses which are also their mode of
transportation to the town proper. Residents claim income and financial satisfaction from
cooperatives and their crops, preventing them to log because the mountains are
surrounded by non-timber products available for consumption. In fact, there was a
planned reforestation program to further advance the sustainability of the area, excluding
the big potential of eco-tourism in such scenic landscape. Development aggression it may
seem, but the law is clear about the rights of the residents to the environment. According
to Section 16, Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, "The State shall protect and
advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the
rhythm and harmony of nature".
Environmental impacts and potential hazards
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) was able to record some detrimental effects
of dams on the environment based on its analyses of large dams in Asia. Such impacts
include the alteration of hydrological cycle and degradation of riverine biodiversity.
Siltation and inconsistent water discharge might result to water climate change that
destroys fish migration patterns and plant life. Its impact would spread to riparian settlers
whose livelihoods are dependent to such resources. Furthermore, scientific studies show
that millions of smaller dams all over the world are actually contributive to the emission
Philippine Dam Crisis: Contending the Deferment of the Laiban Dam Project 2013
of greenhouse gases which cause global climate change, challenging the popular "green"
concept of dams. According to a journal of the American Chemical Society (2013), more
and more methane bubbles out of the water behind small dams. Large dams are known
sources of carbon dioxide and methane, both of which are greenhouse gases. They trap
heat near the Earth's surface and in fact, the latter has 25 times more warming effect than
the former. Methane comes from organic matter, mostly rotted, in the sediments trapped
within dams. Such can potentially increase global freshwater emissions by up to 7 percent
following the dam trend in pursuance of new water and energy sources. Constructing the
Laiban Dam would further add to these figures. The following is a matrix comparing the
carbon dioxide emissions of different energy options.
Table 1. Global Warming Impact of Various Electricity Options
Power Plant Type Emissions (g CO2-eq/kWh)
Hydro (tropical) 200 – 3000 [1]
Hydro (temperate/boreal) 10 – 200 [1]
Coal (modern plant) 790 – 1200
Heavy Oil 690 – 730
Diesel 555 – 880
Combined cycle natural gas 460 – 760
Natural gas cogeneration 300
[1] Represents gross emissions and does not include emissions produced when
water is released from the reservoir. (Source: International River Network)
Philippine Dam Crisis: Contending the Deferment of the Laiban Dam Project 2013
Moreover, MWSS stated that the watershed will help Angat Dam to supply water
since the latter is "too old" and is situated above the West Valley Fault. Likewise, Laiban
Dam will rise between Marikina and Real-Infanta Fault Lines, moving experts to infer
that in the course of an earthquake, the dam would experience wreckage, as much as the
downstream communities and settlers would be drowned (Mallari Jr., 2013). Another
probable hazard is the overflow of water from dams which are, according to ADB, non-
assurances of effective flood control especially when large volumes are to be held back.
There is no clear plan for accident cases that may be destructive to downstream
communities once the dam has been built.
Displacement and ancestral claims
Probably the most significant of the controversies facing the construction of
Laiban Dam is the ejection of indigenous Dumagats (also known as Agtas) and
Remontados, reflecting the irreversible loss of shelters, above-ground improvements, and
cultural heritage, among others. Since the 1980’s, these tribal communities are in strong
contention against the anticipated dam construction as they consider the dam site part of
their ancestral domain. Affected residents were to be resettled at Brgy. San Ysiro in
Antipolo City, where chaos would also fall on the farmers already situated in the said
area. The site which was reserved since the '80s is already nestled by families from other
resettlement projects. With the project implementation, they would have to give way for
the original recipients of the resettlement site - the indigenous peoples of Laiban vicinity.
Thus, conflict heightens with the proliferation of such "domino effect".
Philippine Dam Crisis: Contending the Deferment of the Laiban Dam Project 2013
Amidst its resurrection in 2013, residents still have not given support to the dam
project. Quoting an Agta tribal chieftain's sentiment, indigenous peoples perceive the
dam project as "a Damocles sword hanging over [their] heads". They made a vow to
continue such invincible stand before their deceased chieftain Nap Buendicho, who in
2009 led a 148-kilometer protest march from General Nakar, Quezon going to Manila in
dramatization of their opposition to the dam project (Mallari Jr., 2013). There is a legal
security offered by Republic Act No. 8371 or The Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act of
1997, promulgating that "The State shall recognize, respect and protect the rights of
ICCs/IPs to preserve and develop their cultures, traditions, and institutions. It shall
consider these rights in the formulation of national laws and policies". However, issues
regarding ancestral domains would rather require ethical consideration since indigenous
peoples, in general, stand in strong unity against the concept of modern paradigm not
because they mean objection to development but rather they "are just still awed by the
magic of the cosmos and the mystery of life", giving reverence to nature in protecting the
gift of life for future inheritance (Luedert, 2007). The WCD (2000) insisted that projects
involving indigenous and tribal people shall only be guided by their free, prior, and
informed consent. They may still be given compensation, but they cannot bring back that
which would be lost. It was discovered that compensation packages for local residents
amounting to P3 million per family or P5 million (for those with extended families) were
distributed. However, these do not include resettlement costs, livelihood projects,
utilities, and basic needs like water, electricity, and education for their children.
Nonetheless, they continue to pursue for their Certificate of Ancestral Domain Titles
Philippine Dam Crisis: Contending the Deferment of the Laiban Dam Project 2013
(CADT), which would add legal substance to their claims and would add to them more
financial assistance (Lingao, 2009).
Suggested alternatives and recommendations
Findings of the WCD (2000) show that only 30 per cent of the domestic and
commercial water supplied by large dams were utilized by intended consumers. Dam
efficiency thus was put to doubt, and with all the adversities and irrevocable impacts of
dams came the quest for better alternatives. In response to this, there are some suggested
options in lieu of large dams, based on the ADB report. Firstly, it is important to promote
conservation measures to water and energy consumers. The Freedom from Debt Coalition
(FDC) once inferred about Laiban Dam's promotion of increased water consumption
contrary to water conservation, since the dam shall hold a sizeable water volume. There
are different ways to conserve water as well as energy such as recycling, water and
energy use inventory, and scheduled irrigation, among others.
Consequently, supply-side management shall also be considered and aimed
towards efficient water distribution. Unnecessary water loss or non-revenue water has
contributed much to the wasted costs and expenses shouldered not just by the controlling
agencies but most likely by the patronizing consumers. By fixing the leaks in the
facilities, more money and much of the resources shall be saved and may actually defer
the need for new sources. The improvement projects for the Angat Dam will be a
significant development in the waterways. Furthermore, the existence of other renewable
sources both for water and energy needs is a significant point to consider. Renewable
energy sources include sustainable biomass, wind, solar, and fossil fuels. Moreover,
Philippine Dam Crisis: Contending the Deferment of the Laiban Dam Project 2013
studies and implementation of surface water harnessing strategies are being applied to the
Laguna de Bay.
Finally, if building a dam would remain as the only viable solution to the water
crisis, a cheaper alternative was being suggested. The Wawa Dam near Montalban, Rizal
used to be Metro Manila’s main source of water until the commissioning of the Angat
Dam when its operation was cancelled. Amidst the issue on Laiban Dam deferment, the
said dam is being promoted in lieu of the former. Its advantages include (1) the absence
of the need for a one-time billion dollar investment with a minimum take-or-pay
provision, (2) a watershed area of 27,700 hectares almost tantamount to Laiban’s 28,000
hectares, (3) its distance of 4 kilometers from Manila, much shorter than Laiban’s 70
kilometers, (4) delivery of 300-500 MW of electricity compared to the 25 MW offer of
Laiban Dam, and (5) the fact that it would not have to displace people to acquire right of
way because it is already built and only requires minor repairs (Cruz, 2009).
Conclusion
Laiban Dam is not the only answer to the water supply needs of Metro Manila,
considering the hazards it can pose to the environment, the lives who have to give way
for its construction, and the findings saying that it is not highly recommendable.
Conservation in the form of efficient and improved water supply facilities, demand
management, recycling, and prevention of excess and dispensable consumption is already
a benchmark to begin with. However, for the time being, the State in accord with the
concerned people has to finally adjudge the fate of the Laiban Dam, or else preliminary
costs alone may already surpass the actual amount of the structure, apart from the time
Philippine Dam Crisis: Contending the Deferment of the Laiban Dam Project 2013
and effort being put to waste. While it is true that the number of those who will be
accomodated is greater than those who will be dislodged, it does not necessarily mean
that the benefits will cancel out the concerns right away. What has to be appraised also is
the non-monetary and intangible values of what's to gain and what's to lose. Damage to
ecological balance and biodiversity is cureless. Furthermore, 35 years would've already
worn the Dumagats and Remontados had it not been due to ancestral instinct and identity
they hold on to and live upon. Provisions like Section 16, Article II of the 1987
Philippine Constitution and The Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act of 1997 are vital in their
struggle against Laiban dam, though in the light of humanitarian standards, the issue lies
more on ethical acknowledgement rather than legal security. For them, the land depicts
an immeasurable worth. Through the years, it had been the seat of a rich ecology,
livelihood, ancestry, customs, and traditions - all of which are at stake when the scheme
pushes through. Project proponents may earn the free, prior, and informed consent of
Laiban residents but in the long run, it is still up to the latter to rule the verdict and let the
aftermath of this project - the irreversible impact on their environment, culture, well-
being, and heritage - make the final judgement.
Philippine Dam Crisis: Contending the Deferment of the Laiban Dam Project 2013
References
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Chronology of Events: Laiban Dam Project
URL: http://pcij.org/resources/laiban-02-chronology.pdf
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Cruz, N. (2009, July 31). Cheaper, faster alternative to Laiban dam. Philippine Daily
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