"Only DA and NIA Top Brass, Can Halt Dam Project," Says Official

NAGA CITY (30 November) -- AFTER THE CHAIR of the Bicol Regional Development Council (RDC) in Legazpi City had directed the temporary suspension of the construction of the P 1.9- Billion, Libmanan-Cabusao Dam Project (LCDP), to give way its review, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) regional official here said they will cooperate with the team from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the DENR tasked by the RDC to conduct the project assessment.

But NIA regional director William Ragodon explained that to put the project on hold following the order of RDC chair, Albay Governor Joey Sarte Salceda, "is not within the jurisdiction of the NIA regional office."

Ragodon said his office is tasked to monitor the progress of the dam project after the NIA central office had awarded in a bid, the P 700- Million portion of the dam construction to the A.M. Oreta Construction Firm in September 2008.

He noted that only NIA Administrator Carlos S. Salazar and Department of Agriculture Sec.  Arthur Yap, can issue an order to put on hold the ongoing construction of the irrigation dam in Barangay Malaguico, Sipocot, Camarines Sur.

Even the lower courts, under PD no. 1818 would not have authority to issue an order to stop  a national government-awarded project, unless the issue of its merit to stop it is brought  before the Supreme Court, Ragodon said.

The NIA director also disclosed that in the latest development, the local government of Lupi town had rejected a MOA between the NIA and the LGU for the local government to handle funds for the topographical survey of low-lying areas at the upstream of the dam.

Bicol River Basin Water Management Project (BRBWMP) director, Presidential Asst. Tomasito Monson claimed the national government is pouring its resources to develop prime lots along the Andaya Highway in Lupi, primarily in Barangay Colacling, Lupi's commercial area for the displaced residents.

However, with the prevailing opposition that prompted the RDC to order a review on the real environmental impact of the dam-project in affected areas of Lupi and Sipocot towns, officials of other basin towns in the former first district like Milaor, Gainza and Minalabac are reportedly asking Malacañang to just shift the dam-project funds for flood control and similar irrigation projects to their localities.

The P 700- Million worth of dam construction in Sipocot town is meant to provide irrigation to some 4,000 hectares of ricelands in the traditionally water-pumped rice granary areas of Libmanan and Cabusao towns in the new 2^nd district of Camarines Sur. (SONNY SALES)