Environmentalist groups have said that the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) issued to Hedcor by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) was done in haste, without due diligence and lacking proper procedure.
They also said that its issuance was preceded by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s visit to their facility. The EMB admitted to this allegation, that their decision to issue ECC was also preceded by the visit of Pres. Arroyo to inaugurate the Sibulan hydroelectric power project of Hedcor.
The EMB granted the ECC to Hedcor on the basis of an Initial Environmental Evaluation (IEE). Which according to them was a very shallow and cursory look at the project. What should have been undertaken was an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) System which follows the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) policies and guidelines
Siad in Mindanao Convergence for Asset Reform and Regional Development (SIMCARRD) also said that the ECC was issued without mandatory public consultations of the people whose health and environment might be directly affected by the project.
Interface Development Interventions, Inc. (IDIS) clarified that they are not against renewable energy projects in the country, but are against the Tamugan project of Hedcor because it cuts into a potential water source for the city of Davao.
The groups have pointed out that Hydroelectric power generation in aquifer and watersheds should be abandoned because it conflicts with our right to potable water and a healthy environment.
The Foundation for Philippine Environment (FPE) said that the drivers of electricity demand for the Tamugan project are mining and agribusiness plantations engaged in destructive agriculture practices that destroy the environment and contribute further to climate change.
Davao City Water District (DCWD) said that their service-oriented principle will definitely not marry Hedcor’s intention for profit. DCWD is the main competitor of Hedcor for the use of the Tamugan river. DCWD has prior rights over the use of Tamugan River by virtue of water permit 15729 issued on May 27,1997. DCWD had been accused of sitting on the permit and not developing the Tamugan river for so long.
Hedcor tried to convince DCWD to jointly develop the river as a water source and for Hydro Electric energy generation. DCWD is willing to compromise with Hedcor if they shoulder the operational expenses and additional building costs when rerouting their planned water project because of the presence of a hydropower plant there. They also said that DCWD is currently paying DLPC the sum of P211 million/year for the cost of pumping groundwater from its wells. By tapping the surface water of the Tamugan river they will be able to reduce this cost because the water will flow on gravity alone.
DCWD had been accused in the past of using propaganda in their war with Hedcor on the Tamugan River use.
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Category: Hydro, Aboitiz
