"Statement on MOA signing for Kaliwa project", 18 February 2022

A memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the controversial China-backed Kaliwa Dam project was signed by purported community representatives in January this year. [...] The MOA signing was facilitated by the Metropolitan Waterworks Sewerage Systems (MWSS) and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) [...].

Reacting to the MOA signing, Atty. Ryan Roset, direct legal services coordinator of LRC, which assists a Dumagat-Remontado community opposing the project, said:

“The signing of the MOA contravened laws governing the free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) of Indigenous peoples. The assembly organized for the signing did not include representatives identified by the Indigenous communities themselves. According to our sources, representatives allowed into the venue were those who had signified agreement to the project, and those who registered opposition to the project were deliberately left out.”

[...]

“What’s more, members of the military were present during the signing. While no use of force was reported, the presence of the military nevertheless sowed fear in the hearts of the community.”

[...]