The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and its two private water concessionaires, Maynilad Water Services Inc. (Maynilad) and Manila Water Corp. (Manila Water), have released close to P37-million development fund for indigenous peoples (IP) and farmers in Bulacan involving two major MWSS projects.
In a news statement, MWSS Chairman and Administrator Reynaldo V. Velasco said the Angat Water Transmission Improvement Project (AWTIP), or Tunnel 4, is a classic example on the importance of commitment, collaboration, partnership and respect in securing the approval of IPs in any developmental project within their ancestral domain.
The Tunnel 4 is within the 0.685 hectare ancestral domain of the IPs of Sitio Ipo, Barangay San Mateo, Norzagaray, Bulacan.
The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) classified the project as non-extractive, non-intrusive and small-scale.
The Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs), specifically the Dumagat Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples of Kabayunan Ancestral Domain in Doña Remedios Trinidad and Norzagaray, Bulacan, have expressed their support to the project during the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) processes on consultation, community assemblies, consensus building and decision-making.
“Community participation is always critical in identifying local needs and the MWSS provided an appropriate response from the IPs,” Velasco said, crediting the strong relationship the MWSS has maintained with the IPs/ICCs that paved the way for the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) on December 17, 2019.
The MOA includes the indigenous defined FPIC processes, self-determined development plans, and a P20-million Community Development Fund.
The Certification Precondition, or CP, a certificate issued by the NCIP attesting to the grant of FPIC by the Dumagat Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples of Kabayunan Ancestral Domain was signed on September 25, 2020.
Soon after, the MWSS concessionaires, Manila Water Company and Maynilad Services Inc. funded the check for P20 million promised to the community. For transparency, a ceremonial turnover and acceptance of the community development assistance was held recently.
Mr. Rodolfo Aquino, president of the Indigenous Bulos-Kabol-Lowen Association of Bulacan, accepted the check. In his message, Tribal Governor Rolando M. Rivera stated that the fund will improve the community’s quality of life and will be used to promote the IP’s interests, beliefs, and customs.
Meanwhile, Velasco reported the release of P16.25 million worth of financial support to the 6,500 farmers of Angat-Maasim River Irrigation System (AMRIS) Federation of Irrigators Association Inc. represented by the group’s President Guillermo N. Mangaluz recently.
The financial assistance is part of the AMRIS and Bustos Dam project came following the drought and Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
Due to the drought and repair of the Bustos Dam in May 2020, MWSS requested the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) to increase allocation for Metro Manila’s domestic use to sustain the high water demand due to Covid-19.
National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA) concurrence and NWRB’s approval of additional release to MWSS ensured continuous water availability in the service area.
In the spirit of bayanihan, MWSS tapped Maynilad and Manila Water to underwrite and equally fund the financial assistance to the farmers.
“With the assistance of NIA, we were able to select the qualified beneficiaries. With gratitude, I wish to thank Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Company Inc. for making the necessary payment as compensation to the farmer-beneficiaries,” said Velasco.
Joining Velasco in the turnover of the financial support were NIA Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya, Maynilad CEO Ramoncito S. Fernandez, Manila Water Chief Operations Officer Abelardo P. Basilio, Bulacan Provincial Governor Daniel R. Fernando, Bulacan Provincial Agriculturist Ma. Gloria SF. Carillo, NIA Regional Manager Josephine Salazar, and other officials from NIA Central Office, Regional Office, and Bulacan AMRIS Federation of IA attended the event.
It will be recalled that NWRB Director Sevillo D. David, Jr. proposed to MWSS an equitable cash compensation plan for Bulacan farmers who were affected by the reduced water allocation for irrigation for the dry season in 2019.
3 comments
Good to know that they not only worked with the IPs but also extended aid.
With public works projects often running afoul of the rights of Indigenous People. it’s reassuring that these agencies work with them.
Government and private sector should make this a textbook example on how to involve Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples in public works.