Were proponents of the giant Cantakoy Hydroelectric Power Plant (CHPP) remiss in their duties to inform stakeholders of the Inabanga side on the social acceptability of the project? Contrary to the contentions of critics of the CHPP that the municipality of Inabanga was not consulted, Quadriver Energy Corporation (QREC) actually made a presentation before the town’s municipal council. In a press statement, CHPP said it should be pointed out that during the said presentation, “not a single one from the officials of Inabanga raised any objection”. “In fact, the municipal officials of Inabanga had the perfect opportunity to raise Inabanga’s claims during the presentation but they chose to be silent,” the statement added. The statement said the allegation on the lack of social preparation is premised on the assumption that Inabanga is a host local government unit. Based on its studies and the latest survey, however, “no portion of the project falls within the jurisdiction of Inabanga”.

“It is therefore unfair to demonize the project premised on Inabanga’s claim of ownership over the area when such claim has never been publicly known prior to the commencement of the construction of the temporary facilities,” it added. CHPP said that based on the documents turned over to QREC, only the endorsements of barangay Cabatuan and municipality of Danao were submitted to the national agencies. “There was no such endorsement from LGU-Inabanga in QREC’s records so when it assumed responsibility in developing the project, QREC never knew that Inabanga has a claim that it should be also considered as a host LGU,” the statement added. QREC admitted that the focus of the information and educational campaign right now is in Danao and the affected barangays. “This is because based on its studies, no portion of the project structures will be constructed within the territory of Inabanga,” it noted.

QREC asserted that it has nothing to gain from depriving Inabanga of its rightful claims if the latter in fact exercises jurisdiction over any portion of the project. At the same time, CHPP pointed out that while the project is to be located within an environmentally critical area, it was not categorized as an environmentally critical project due to its capacity of below 10 megawatts. Under Department of Environment and Natural Resources Administrative Order 2003-03, if a hydropower plant has at least 5 MW capacity but not more than 30 MW, only an Initial Environmental Examination Report and not a full Environmental Impact Statement is required. “The assertion of certain quarters that the project made short cuts in its application is misplaced,” the statement added. And yet, even though public consultation was not required, QREC actually went through this. Before entering the project site to construct its temporary facilities, the project consultant presented the technical facts of the project to the Danao municipal council. The following day, the same technical information was presented to the town officials in Inabanga. “No objections were raised in either presentation so QREC assumed that there was public acceptance of the project,” the statement added.     

Social benefits best proof of sincerity

The social benefits availed by Danao residents is the best proof of the local government’s sincerity. Danao Mayor Louis Thomas Gonzaga confirmed that the residents of his town are perhaps the only ones who enjoy virtually free hospitalization at the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital because of the municipal government. Gonzaga was asked during a radio interview if it is true that the citizens of Danao enjoy free hospitalization at the regional hospital to which he answered in the affirmative. “It is our intention that when our indigent folks are brought to the hospital, they will not be rejected because we have funds earmarked for it,” the mayor explained during the interview. Gonzaga was interviewed over Station DyTR by anchormen Atty. Handel Lagunay and Boy Pernia on the controversial Cantakoy Hydropower Plant Project (CHPP). During the same interview, Gonzaga expressed disappointment over the efforts of his critics to spread misinformation particularly with the intention of sowing fear to Danao folks.

The mayor explained that contrary to the allegations of the detractors of CHPP, the actual height of the dam is only 32 meters and not 60 meters as alleged. “It is 60 meters from sea level and not from the base of the river,” he pointed out. Gonzaga said that the critics of the project try to sow fear among the people by picturing the dam as about 20 stories high which, if true is alarming considering the damage it can cause in the event of an accident. The mayor said the truth is the dam is only about 32 meters because Danao is already about 28 meters above sea level. This means that the height is reasonable and not something to worry about, he added. “No mayor in his right mind would allow something that could flood his town,” he added. Aside from the free hospitalization, Gonzaga said the town ambulance brings patients to the city free of charge which is something residents in other towns do not enjoy. The mayor said that the local government has programs for education and other services which many towns cannot offer to their people. “All this is a result of our sincere efforts to serve our people,” he added.

Gonzaga said that the local residents stand to benefit from the CHPP in terms of employment generated during the construction. He explained that there are also on-going discussions with the project proponent regarding its exit plan for the workers whose services will no longer be needed when the project is completed. “All these show that we are constantly looking after the best interest of our people,” the mayor added. Gonzaga said if there is anyone who is concerned about the lives and future of the people of Danao, that would be him. For one who was responsible for turning around the economy of the town and making sure the turn-around translates to actual benefits for the people, Gonzaga deserves the benefit of the doubt more than anybody else.