Rally vs Dato's Dam Set on April 14

Sipocot, CamSur (10 April) - A huge multi-sectoral protest action against the Libmanan-Cabusao Dam Project (LCDP) is set to be held on Wednesday, April 14 in the municipalities of Sipocot and Lupi, Camarines Sur.

The protest action is led by the Alyansa kan mga Namamanwaan laban sa Dam or AnDam (Alliance of Concerned Citizens against the Dam) which is opposing the implementation of what has come to be known as "Dato's Dam" following the sponsorship of the said dam project by Congressman Diosdado "Dato" Arroyo.

AnDam is composed of residents of Lupi and Sipocot who will be adversely affected by the dam project, residents of other municipalities of the First District of Camarines Sur such as Libmanan and Cabusao who are supposedly the beneficiaries of the dam, as well as members of the various sectors of society who support the cause of the said residents.

The rally is set to begin with a protest march at 9:00 AM, dubbed "Martsa Laban sa Dam"which would take place along the Maharlika Highway in Sipocot; it would commence at Barangays Impig and Tara and would proceed towards Poblacion, Lupi.

The second part of the protest action, a prayer-rally at Lupi's town plaza named "Aráng-Banwaan: Pagtaas-Tingog Kontra sa Dam" is set to follow at 2:00 PM; a community mass opens the prayer rally.

A program ensues afterwards, in which different representatives from the various sectors are to express their opposition to and indignation over the dam project being pushed by Bicol River Basin and Watershed Management Project (BRBWMP), the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and by Rep. 'Dato' Arroyo.

AnDam continues to strongly oppose the P 2 Billion dam due to the lack of authentic consultation with those to be affected and benefited by the project.

The alliance is also against the dam project because of the ensuing loss of homes and livelihood by farmers and local residents as well as the environmental destruction due to the expected dangerous flooding in Sipocot and Lupi.

Finally, AnDam has criticized the anomalous and inhumane process employed by the dam's proponents, while questioning at the same time the alleged benefits and developments the said dam project is supposed to bring to the area. (F. J. Lagdameo)