TABUK, KALINGA -- Diocesan Bishop Renato Abibico of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Luzon (EDNL) called on President Benigno Aquino III to intervene in the ongoing issue against energy company Hedcor for reported violations in acquiring its environmental compliance certificate (ECC) and free prior and informed consent- memorandum of agreement (FPIC-MOA) issued by the Indigenous Peoples representatives of barangays of Napua and Namatec of Sabangan in the construction of Hedcor’s 14 megawatt hydro plant.
In his letter addressed to Aquino, Bishop Abibico supported petitions of the Napua Sabangan United Guides Association represented by officers Richard Budod, Winston Dolig and Ceasar Bulagsay; and spokesperson Juniper Dominguez of the Volunteers against Corruption (VAC) calling for the stoppage of work by Hedcor and construction companies Sta. Clara Construction and Drill Corporation and effect immediate rehabilitation on damaged slopes of Mt. Kalawitan to prevent further siltation of the Chico River.
A petition was filed early this year by NSUGAI against Hedcor, Sta. Clara Construction, Drill Corporation and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) before the adjudication court of NCIP charging the companies for violations of the conduct of securing the FPIC-MOA being “flawed, deceitful and fraudulent” and destruction of the environment and cultural spots.
Petitioners claimed the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples manipulated the FPIC-MOA using a “non-existing Tinmakudo ancestral domain.”
An interview with Abibico said he wants to know the validity and existence of a certain Tinmakudo tribe in Sabangan.
Records from the regional office of the NCIP note Tinmakudo Ancestral Domain has not yet been endorsed for approval by the NCIP.
Dominguez also filed a petition for cancellation of the ECC at the issuing office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources citing Hedcor’s actions as “an epitome of disrespect of the environmental laws and destruction of the environmental at its best.”
Petitioner alleged Hedcor cut more than the required 378 grown trees; conducted the earthballing of 298 tree saplings; and failed to construct designated disposal sites to contain earth spoils. This has resulted to debris flowing to the Chico River and cause siltation. This is despite Hedcor’s commitment to “make its best efforts to prevent pollution and damage to the environment...”
Abibico lamented the concerned government agency has failed to act on the petition asking for the cancellation of the ECC.
Abibico also expressed his disgust when the 20-day temporary restraining order issued May 2, 2014 against Hedcor and Sta. Clara and Drill Corporation to cease and desist from the construction of the hydro electric plant and other related activities at Napua was ignored saying, “If that is not a showcase of arrogance and disrespect on legitimate government functionary.”
Other petitions were filed by NSUGAI and Dominguez at the Department of Energy and recently a petition was heard by the Congressional Committee on National Cultural Communities.
Following the petitions filed early this year, Hedcor has caused the building of some portions of retaining walls along damaged slopes in the recent months.
While this ensued, a divided community is obviously noted with some locals being employed by Hedcor and Sta. Clara and the local government having inked agreements with these companies.
“We want a development that is fair and just, one that unites rather than divides, one that promotes peace, rather than unrest, one that promote ecological sanctity and that the respects out cultural integrity, Development can become an agent of hope, harmony, justice, peace and abundant life for all.” Abibico said in his letter to Aquino.
The bishop who is a native of Sabangan said Sabangan people are good stewards of creation. Sabangan was awarded as the cleanest ad greenest municipality in Mountain Province in 2005 because of its verdant and green forest especially Mt. Kalawitan which is part of the ancestral land of the Sabangan people.
The people of Sabangan in the 1960s with the use of physical force dismantled and caused the permanent closure of Kairuz Lumber then operating in Namatec due to massive logging operations thus destroying the biodiversity of Mt. Kalawitan. (Gina Dizon)