Vox Bikol/Bicol Mail
Researchers from the Ateneo de Naga University’s Institute for Environmental Conservation and Research (INECAR), headed by Dr. Emilina Regis conducted an initial investigative study to weigh the potential effects of the proposed Libmanan-Cabusao dam project.
Accompanied by staff researchers as well as local personalities and members of the media, Dr. Regis acted on the request made by concerned citizens of Lupi where the proposed dam will be built. In the report made available to journalists and interested parties, the INECAR claimed that because of the “serious apprehension of the people”, and because the “matter is of serious concern,” the research body opted to conduct a study to assess the current status of the project and its effects on the people and environment.
Dr. Regis explains that while proponents of the project have often cited the benefits of the dam to the farmlands in the towns of Cabusao and Libmanan, officials of the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) and the Bicol River Basin and Water Management Project have failed to emphasize that the municipalities of Lupi and Sipocot will be “direct impact areas which may be adversely affected by the project.”
According to the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) of the NIA, Lupi and Sipocot were classified as indirect impact areas. Regis believes, however, that when the dam is completed, it will directly affect 13 barangays of Lupi, or about a third of all barangays of the town. The researchers also claim that the presence of several tributaries and creeks can also mean that more residents will be affected that initially believed.
The proposed dam is expected to be 15 meters high and 150 meters wide. When completed, the dam will provide irrigation to rice fields 10.28 kilometers away in the towns of Cabusao and Libmanan. According to the INECAR’s report, the system is “absurd” especially since it would be easier to connect to the river system nearer the beneficiaries.
Pollution a By-product
Another concern raised by Dr. Regis and her team is the threat of pollution. Citing the soil composition in the proposed dam area, Dr. Regis says that the rising waters would erode the riverbank upstream and strong currents would carry sand, silt, and clay downstream only to be trapped by the dam. Household water and organic materials can then result in the uncontrolled growth of phytoplankton. This, in turn, can lead to algal bloom and the subsequent suffocation of fish in the river. The report adds that this can have a tremendous impact on the biodiversity in the area.
A similar study conducted by researchers in 2004 of the Barit River, which drains Lake Buhi also suggests that the hydraulic control structure there is one of the primary causes of the deterioration of the water quality in the said river. The report points out that the highly toxic quality of the lake water have resulted in residents being infected by contact dermatitis.
Dr. Regis and the INECAR also challenged the official EIS of the NIA, saying that the report focused mainly on the Libmanan-Cabusao situation without giving much consideration to the directly affected areas of Lupi and Sipocot. The same EIS also claims that the dam would cause 186 hectares of land to be permanently inundated. INECAR’s report points out, however, that there are at least 13 tributaries not mentioned in the report that may have profound effects on many communities upstream.
The NIA’s EIS also claimed that Brgy. Malaguico, where the proposed dam will be built, has “no reported flood occurrences except low lying adjoining rivers and creeks.” Based on interviews and local accounts, researchers say that while flood waters often pass through quickly, the water level often reaches treetops as evidenced by the presence of plastic bags and various other debris on the branches. Furthermore, flood waters brought by Typhoon Rosing in 1995 inundated much of Lupi’s town proper, which on average, stands at 14 meters above sea level.
The presence of a new large body of water can also place pressure on the riverbanks and the dam itself, potentially resulting in dam failure and flash floods, the report says. Dr. Regis also said that it is “surprising that a dam should be constructed for obtaining only irrigation water and inundate 13 barangays permanently, destroy vegetation, and relocate people.”
Researchers also cast doubt on the reliability of the EIS especially regarding the issue of seismic activity or earthquakes. According to the official statement of the NIA, the proposed dam will be designed to survive tremors up to magnitude 7.6. Dr. Regis, explains that the soil and rock composition also plays a crucial role in determining the risk of dam failure due to earthquakes. The INECAR investigation discovered that the soil in proposed dam area is composed of clay, sandy clay, loamy sand, and sand, soft materials that would further prolong and even intensify the effects of ground movement.
Residents Angered
Victor Dennis T. Nierva, one of the dam project’s vocal critics, agrees with the researchers’ findings. According to Nierva, there were also anomalies especially with how the affected residents and citizens in Lupi and Sipocot were informed about the project. Based on interviews with local residents, the official consultations convinced them to initially agree with the plans because of the supposed benefits. However, they claim that government officials who presided over the consultations failed to mention the impact and effect the construction and presence of the dam would have on them and their livelihood.
In fact, Nierva says that some of the engineers and officials present during the meetings jokingly remarked on the serious concerns many residents brought up. For example, he says, some of the local farmers expressed concern over the rising waters and its effect on their eggplant plantations. One of the officials supposedly said, “E di magtanom kamo nin mani.” (Well, plant peanuts). When questioned about the effects rising river levels would have on their land property, another official was said to have answered jokingly, “Kudalan nindo an daga nindo.” (Fence off your property). Nierva says that the apparent lack of concern from concerned government agencies are making many residents weary and angry over the project.
In fact, Lupi’s town council recently passed a resolution opposing the construction of the dam, citing the apparent lack of studies, and the absence of a multi-partite monitoring team to assess the planning and implementation of the government project. Nierva adds that aside from these concerns, the town council also raised the issue of inadequate assessment made by the concerned government agencies. In fact, he claims that of the 186 hectares to be permanently inundated, only 2.86 hectares were assessed.
Nierva also dismissed allegations that the opposition to the construction of the dam is a political ploy meant to discredit the administration’s political allies in the 1st district of Camarines Sur. In fact, he says that the people of Lupi and Sipocot, especially those vehemently opposing the dam project are finding difficulty in finding financial support for their cause. Nierva reiterates that the strong opposition is because of people’s initiative and that there are no plans to seek help from provincial officials regarding possible legal actions to stop the project.
Aside from the potential flooding the dam may bring, Nierva says that the higher water levels can damage Philippine National Railways (PNR) railroads near the proposed dam location. With higher river waters come the risk of softer soil and increased risk to the railroad.
Heavy rains can also cause water levels to reach 22 meters, says Nierva. At this level, the total inundated area would be 1,150 hectares, or six times more than the official figure of 186 hectares. There are also plans to expand the project to include the construction of a hydroelectric facility based on a briefing conducted in Libmanan last September, says Nierva.
The dam project critic also belied official government claims that only 298 families would be affected by the construction of the damn. “That’s a lie,” claims Nierva. He also says that a separate statement from the NIA said that only nine families would be directly affected.
In recent weeks, a Comprehensive Development Plan (CPD) was also set up by concerned agencies. Nierva says that the sudden decision to create the plan was due to the incessant clamor for the project’s abolishment. He adds that the CDP is most likely a response to the fierce opposition against the dam project.
According to Nierva, there are plans to consolidate the different scientific findings as well as other materials for use in a legal action against the implementation of the project. However, he adds that the concerned residents would not align themselves with separate legal actions reportedly being prepared by the provincial government. He explains that any legal recourse would only cement the opposition to the dam project and its adverse effect.
Risk of Dam Failure
In a clay model experiment conducted by researchers at the INECAR, the presence of numerous tributaries upstream can lead to severe flooding and loss of property if the construction of the dam pushes through. The official report of Dr. Regis claims that the immense pressure of the water pushing against the dam combined with the unstable and soft riverbanks can have disastrous consequences.
Further research of previous dam failures in Europe and the United States revealed that poor planning and the lack of proper geological studies have resulted in massive loss of property and even lives.
One particular dam failure, that of Vajont dam in Italy, resulted in 2,000 deaths in 1963. Failing to heed warnings that the area is prone to geological upheavals, the sole distributor of electricity in Italy that time proceeded with the construction of the dam, which was finished in 1959. A massive rockslide displaced 50 million cubic meters of water, which resulted in a 250-meter high wave.
Subsequent investigations pointed to hastened and poor planning for the disaster with the company ignoring expert advice in order to meet deadlines for additional public funding.
Another notable dam failure was that of the Malpasset dam in France in 1959. The dam was constructed to provide adequate water and irrigation to the region. Due to lack of additional funding, however, a more comprehensive geological study of the region was never conducted. This resulted in the failure of officials to correctly identify a previously unknown tectonic fault underneath the dam. Heavy rains resulted in immense water pressure on the underlying fault, causing it to heave and lead to the dam’s failure.
An estimate 420 people died in the resulting flash floods with damage to property estimated at $68 million.
INECAR Recommendations
The INECAR’s recommendations point to the adoption of more economical ways to augment the water pumps currently being used in Cabusao and Libmanan.
Dr. Regis, in the report, says that it would be far more practical to access water from the Libmanan-Sipocot River which flows near the target beneficiary towns. Instead of allotting Php1.9 billion, the government can focus on directing water from Tancong Vaca watershed instead of displacing residents from adjacent towns, says the INECAR head.
The government can also acquire additional pumps to augment the existing four units already in place. Operating at the cost of Php7 million annually, the four water pumps can be doubled to help in the irrigation of farmlands in Cabusao and Libmanan.
Even with rising fuel prices and the depreciation of the peso, Dr. Regis estimates that the government will only have to spend Php480 million over the course of 100 years. This would leave some Php1.42 billion for other projects.
Researchers from the Ateneo de Naga University’s Institute for Environmental Conservation and Research (INECAR), headed by Dr. Emilina Regis conducted an initial investigative study to weigh the potential effects of the proposed Libmanan-Cabusao dam project.
Accompanied by staff researchers as well as local personalities and members of the media, Dr. Regis acted on the request made by concerned citizens of Lupi where the proposed dam will be built. In the report made available to journalists and interested parties, the INECAR claimed that because of the “serious apprehension of the people”, and because the “matter is of serious concern,” the research body opted to conduct a study to assess the current status of the project and its effects on the people and environment.
Dr. Regis explains that while proponents of the project have often cited the benefits of the dam to the farmlands in the towns of Cabusao and Libmanan, officials of the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) and the Bicol River Basin and Water Management Project have failed to emphasize that the municipalities of Lupi and Sipocot will be “direct impact areas which may be adversely affected by the project.”
According to the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) of the NIA, Lupi and Sipocot were classified as indirect impact areas. Regis believes, however, that when the dam is completed, it will directly affect 13 barangays of Lupi, or about a third of all barangays of the town. The researchers also claim that the presence of several tributaries and creeks can also mean that more residents will be affected that initially believed.
The proposed dam is expected to be 15 meters high and 150 meters wide. When completed, the dam will provide irrigation to rice fields 10.28 kilometers away in the towns of Cabusao and Libmanan. According to the INECAR’s report, the system is “absurd” especially since it would be easier to connect to the river system nearer the beneficiaries.
Pollution a By-product
Another concern raised by Dr. Regis and her team is the threat of pollution. Citing the soil composition in the proposed dam area, Dr. Regis says that the rising waters would erode the riverbank upstream and strong currents would carry sand, silt, and clay downstream only to be trapped by the dam. Household water and organic materials can then result in the uncontrolled growth of phytoplankton. This, in turn, can lead to algal bloom and the subsequent suffocation of fish in the river. The report adds that this can have a tremendous impact on the biodiversity in the area.
A similar study conducted by researchers in 2004 of the Barit River, which drains Lake Buhi also suggests that the hydraulic control structure there is one of the primary causes of the deterioration of the water quality in the said river. The report points out that the highly toxic quality of the lake water have resulted in residents being infected by contact dermatitis.
Dr. Regis and the INECAR also challenged the official EIS of the NIA, saying that the report focused mainly on the Libmanan-Cabusao situation without giving much consideration to the directly affected areas of Lupi and Sipocot. The same EIS also claims that the dam would cause 186 hectares of land to be permanently inundated. INECAR’s report points out, however, that there are at least 13 tributaries not mentioned in the report that may have profound effects on many communities upstream.
The NIA’s EIS also claimed that Brgy. Malaguico, where the proposed dam will be built, has “no reported flood occurrences except low lying adjoining rivers and creeks.” Based on interviews and local accounts, researchers say that while flood waters often pass through quickly, the water level often reaches treetops as evidenced by the presence of plastic bags and various other debris on the branches. Furthermore, flood waters brought by Typhoon Rosing in 1995 inundated much of Lupi’s town proper, which on average, stands at 14 meters above sea level.
The presence of a new large body of water can also place pressure on the riverbanks and the dam itself, potentially resulting in dam failure and flash floods, the report says. Dr. Regis also said that it is “surprising that a dam should be constructed for obtaining only irrigation water and inundate 13 barangays permanently, destroy vegetation, and relocate people.”
Researchers also cast doubt on the reliability of the EIS especially regarding the issue of seismic activity or earthquakes. According to the official statement of the NIA, the proposed dam will be designed to survive tremors up to magnitude 7.6. Dr. Regis, explains that the soil and rock composition also plays a crucial role in determining the risk of dam failure due to earthquakes. The INECAR investigation discovered that the soil in proposed dam area is composed of clay, sandy clay, loamy sand, and sand, soft materials that would further prolong and even intensify the effects of ground movement.
Residents Angered
Victor Dennis T. Nierva, one of the dam project’s vocal critics, agrees with the researchers’ findings. According to Nierva, there were also anomalies especially with how the affected residents and citizens in Lupi and Sipocot were informed about the project. Based on interviews with local residents, the official consultations convinced them to initially agree with the plans because of the supposed benefits. However, they claim that government officials who presided over the consultations failed to mention the impact and effect the construction and presence of the dam would have on them and their livelihood.
In fact, Nierva says that some of the engineers and officials present during the meetings jokingly remarked on the serious concerns many residents brought up. For example, he says, some of the local farmers expressed concern over the rising waters and its effect on their eggplant plantations. One of the officials supposedly said, “E di magtanom kamo nin mani.” (Well, plant peanuts). When questioned about the effects rising river levels would have on their land property, another official was said to have answered jokingly, “Kudalan nindo an daga nindo.” (Fence off your property). Nierva says that the apparent lack of concern from concerned government agencies are making many residents weary and angry over the project.
In fact, Lupi’s town council recently passed a resolution opposing the construction of the dam, citing the apparent lack of studies, and the absence of a multi-partite monitoring team to assess the planning and implementation of the government project. Nierva adds that aside from these concerns, the town council also raised the issue of inadequate assessment made by the concerned government agencies. In fact, he claims that of the 186 hectares to be permanently inundated, only 2.86 hectares were assessed.
Nierva also dismissed allegations that the opposition to the construction of the dam is a political ploy meant to discredit the administration’s political allies in the 1st district of Camarines Sur. In fact, he says that the people of Lupi and Sipocot, especially those vehemently opposing the dam project are finding difficulty in finding financial support for their cause. Nierva reiterates that the strong opposition is because of people’s initiative and that there are no plans to seek help from provincial officials regarding possible legal actions to stop the project.
Aside from the potential flooding the dam may bring, Nierva says that the higher water levels can damage Philippine National Railways (PNR) railroads near the proposed dam location. With higher river waters come the risk of softer soil and increased risk to the railroad.
Heavy rains can also cause water levels to reach 22 meters, says Nierva. At this level, the total inundated area would be 1,150 hectares, or six times more than the official figure of 186 hectares. There are also plans to expand the project to include the construction of a hydroelectric facility based on a briefing conducted in Libmanan last September, says Nierva.
The dam project critic also belied official government claims that only 298 families would be affected by the construction of the damn. “That’s a lie,” claims Nierva. He also says that a separate statement from the NIA said that only nine families would be directly affected.
In recent weeks, a Comprehensive Development Plan (CPD) was also set up by concerned agencies. Nierva says that the sudden decision to create the plan was due to the incessant clamor for the project’s abolishment. He adds that the CDP is most likely a response to the fierce opposition against the dam project.
According to Nierva, there are plans to consolidate the different scientific findings as well as other materials for use in a legal action against the implementation of the project. However, he adds that the concerned residents would not align themselves with separate legal actions reportedly being prepared by the provincial government. He explains that any legal recourse would only cement the opposition to the dam project and its adverse effect.
Risk of Dam Failure
In a clay model experiment conducted by researchers at the INECAR, the presence of numerous tributaries upstream can lead to severe flooding and loss of property if the construction of the dam pushes through. The official report of Dr. Regis claims that the immense pressure of the water pushing against the dam combined with the unstable and soft riverbanks can have disastrous consequences.
Further research of previous dam failures in Europe and the United States revealed that poor planning and the lack of proper geological studies have resulted in massive loss of property and even lives.
One particular dam failure, that of Vajont dam in Italy, resulted in 2,000 deaths in 1963. Failing to heed warnings that the area is prone to geological upheavals, the sole distributor of electricity in Italy that time proceeded with the construction of the dam, which was finished in 1959. A massive rockslide displaced 50 million cubic meters of water, which resulted in a 250-meter high wave.
Subsequent investigations pointed to hastened and poor planning for the disaster with the company ignoring expert advice in order to meet deadlines for additional public funding.
Another notable dam failure was that of the Malpasset dam in France in 1959. The dam was constructed to provide adequate water and irrigation to the region. Due to lack of additional funding, however, a more comprehensive geological study of the region was never conducted. This resulted in the failure of officials to correctly identify a previously unknown tectonic fault underneath the dam. Heavy rains resulted in immense water pressure on the underlying fault, causing it to heave and lead to the dam’s failure.
An estimate 420 people died in the resulting flash floods with damage to property estimated at $68 million.
INECAR Recommendations
The INECAR’s recommendations point to the adoption of more economical ways to augment the water pumps currently being used in Cabusao and Libmanan.
Dr. Regis, in the report, says that it would be far more practical to access water from the Libmanan-Sipocot River which flows near the target beneficiary towns. Instead of allotting Php1.9 billion, the government can focus on directing water from Tancong Vaca watershed instead of displacing residents from adjacent towns, says the INECAR head.
The government can also acquire additional pumps to augment the existing four units already in place. Operating at the cost of Php7 million annually, the four water pumps can be doubled to help in the irrigation of farmlands in Cabusao and Libmanan.
Even with rising fuel prices and the depreciation of the peso, Dr. Regis estimates that the government will only have to spend Php480 million over the course of 100 years. This would leave some Php1.42 billion for other projects.
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