Thursday, December 25, 2008 Diverting river's water from Asin, contemptuous: exec
THE court is the most suitable venue to decide on issues surrounding the operation of the Asin mini hydro power plants, said City Administrator Peter Fianza.
With several failed dialogues between the City Government, members of the Tadiangan-Nangalisan Ancestral Landowners Association (TNHLA), and individual landowners, Fianza said a third party like the court or the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) may help define what should claimants demand.
"The city and the claimants could not agree on how much will be paid, who are entitled to compensation and what are the areas affected by the establishment of the power plants," Fianza told Sun.Star, even as he assured that the city is willing to pay compensations due.
To recall, even the local government of Tuba interceded but no agreement was reached.
Reacting over the recent demand of the TNHLA for the city to look for other sources of water because water that goes to the power plants will be used for their fishponds, Fianza said the group does not have a monopoly on the water.
He stressed that Baguio City has water rights over the water flowing to the power plants.
In a letter dated December 2, the TNHLA said they will divert the water to their fishponds and farms if the city does not act in 60 days.
"May we request the city to look for another source of water for the Asin hydro power plants. We believe that two months or 60 days is enough for you to look for a new water source. It is then understood that after the lapse of the period, we will divert the water so we could commence our livelihood projects," the group said.
Recalling the NCIP's recent denial of the group's petition for the issuance of a writ of preliminary injunction, Fianza said diverting the water is contemptuous.
In 2006, the TNHLA diverted the flow of water, resulting to the plant's shutdown. Operations later resumed on February 2007. (Rimaliza Opiña)
