SC issues protection order for Jalaur River
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—The Supreme Court has issued a writ of kalikasan on the construction of the “killer dam” in Iloilo or the Jalaur Multi-Purpose Project Phase 2 (JRMP 2).
In a three page resolution, the high court gave the respondents 10 days to answer the petition filed by former Iloilo Representative Augusto Syjuco Jr.
Respondents in the petition are the National Irrigation Administration, Department of Agriculture, National Economic Development Authority, Department of Agrarian Reform and Senate President Franklin Drilon who is the main project proponent for the mega dam.
Under the JRMP 2, the irrigation system will be expanded to cover 31,000 hectares and additional electricity will be produced through the construction of a 6.6 megawatt hydroelectric power plant. The project will also improve the supply of water, mitigate flood, promote eco-tourism and generate 17,000 employment.
However, Syjuco said, the “killer dam,” based on a study by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), the subject area is prone to landslides and flooding, and has an active fault line.
Article continues after this advertisementHe added that if the project would push through, thousands of indigenous people would be displaced.
Article continues after this advertisementSyjuco said the project would harm aquatic species as well as destroy the natural hydrologic system of the river.
“It will lower the base level of the river and stop recharge of fresh water into the surrounding floodplains of the second district, Passi City and Iloilo City,” Syjuco said.
“Worst and obvious impact of the Jalaur Mega Dam is ―habitat destruction. It will destroy and kill the upstream ecology of the dam from a free-flowing river ecosystem to an artificial slack-water reservoir habitat. Changes in temperature, chemical composition, dissolved oxygen levels and the physical properties of a reservoir are not suitable to the aquatic plants and animals that evolved with a given river system.”
“The Jalaur Mega Dam will eventually lead to the hosting of predatory fish, malaria-carrying species and insects that further undermine the current pristine river’s natural communities of plants and animals, he further stated.
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