Monday, October 06, 2008 Group to file protest vs hydropower project By Carlo P. Mallo
A NON-governmental organization will be filing a petition against the application of Hedcor, a privately owned power utility, to tap the Tamugan River as a hydropower source.
Tom Villarin, executive director of Siad Initiatives in Mindanao Convergence for Asset Reform and Regional Development, said they are opposing the bid of Hedcor to put up a hydropower plant at the Tamugan River on the premise that water is a basic right for each and every Filipino citizen.
"And being a scarce resource, water should be prioritized over other uses," Villarin added.
The group, during a water forum last Friday, listened to the presentation of the representatives of the Davao City Water District (DCWD) that showed the various effects of the proposed project of the power utility on the water utility's bid to tap the Tamugan River as a source of its surface water project.
"We will be filing the opposition paper on Tuesday before the National Water Resources Board," Villarin added.
Villarin also denied speculations that the representatives of the power utility snubbed the water forum held last Friday, adding that no representative of Hedcor was invited to attend the forum.
Moreover, Villarin also called on the National Water Resources Board to conduct public hearings in Davao City so the people would be heard and not just the warring companies.
The water and power utilities are at a stalemate over which has more right to make use of Tamugan River.
