Iloilo IP group tells governor about ‘threats’ from dam project personnel

Members of an indigenous people's group in Iloilo on Wednesday told Governor Arthur Defensor about alleged threats from personnel working on a dam project in the province.

The Calinog-based Tumandok had a dialogue with Defensor regarding their concerns about the Jalaur River Megadam Project II, GMA Iloilo's Charlene Belvis reported Thursday.

On Earth Day last April 22, the group held a protest action against the dam being built in Calinog town, and called on the National Irrigation Administration to stop the project.

At this week's dialogue, the IP group members said that while they are in favor of progress, they do not believe a dam will help them achieve it.

"Sino lang sa amin na mga Tumandok ang hindi nangangailangan ng development sa buhay? Yun lang Gov ang sinsero at tunay na serbisyo ng gobyerno. Lalo na sa aming IP para maiangat ang aming kabuhayan. Ang tanong namin Gov, hindi ba kami made-develop kung wala ang megadam?" said Tumandok member Aileen Catamin.

The group also told the governor that people working on the dam even "threatened" them if they continue their protests.

"Kung ipagpapatuloy raw naming ang pagrereklamo, hindi niya kami ipapasok sa trabaho," said group member Nestor Castor.

For his part, Defensor called up NIA regional director Geraldo Corsiga and told him to instruct his personnel not to threaten the IP group.

"Warningan mo nga ang lahat na mga empleyado diyan na walang empleyado ng NIA o opisyal ng gobyerno na magbanta sa mga kababayan natin," Defensor said. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News