Third WCD Forum Meeting
25-27 February 2001 - Cape Town, South Africa

Cordillera Peoples Alliance
Joan Carling

The Cordillera Peoples Alliance, a grassroots movement of Indigenous peoples of Northern Philippines welcomes the WCD Report. The findings of the WCD report mirrors our own experience on the adverse cultural, social and Environmental impacts of large dams as in the case of Birga, Ambuklao and San Rohue dams in the Cordillera.

Undoubtedly, it has long been established that indigenous peoples are made as sacrificial lambs in the name of development. Yet development models that are imposed on us, such as large dams proved to be temples of doom, not just for indigenous peoples but other dam-affected communities. Likewise, claimed benefits from large dams cannot overshadow its tremendous and irreversible negative impacts to millions of people. In fact, the Ambuklao dam which is now un-operational is a living nightmare as more and more communities are being affected by the worsening siltation problems.

For indigenous people, who have historically derived their very source of existence from their land & resources development imposition such as construction of large dams clearly violates their human rights. At present, there are 4 large dams under construction in the Cordillera Region, Philippines, the ancestral homeland of the indigenous people, collectively known as Igorots. The planning of these dams never involved the affected communities. While indigenous peoples are perceived to be very minority, this can never be an excused to trample upon their right over their land & resources. It is therefore imperative that the recognition of human rights integrates the rights of indigenous peoples to ensure a sustainable & people - centred development agenda. It is in this context that we fully support the recommendations of the WCD under the Framework of assessment of risks and recognition of rights approach in any water & energy development. This is the bottomline under which any large dam projects can be implemented in indigenous territories.

The requirement for an informed & prior consent of indigenous peoples to any implementation of water & energy projects should not be taken simply as a procedural matter, but as a respect recognition of the inherent right of indigenous peoples over their resources & their right to self determination.

In the case of the Phil, we already have a law upholding for the principle of informed & prior consent of indigenous peoples to any of the implementation project in their territories. Although the exist various interpretations of this, it is by far a very useful & meaningful tool for indigenous people in asserting their rights. Further, its mechanisms for implementation as a democratic process is do-able & achievable based on our experience. The most important aspect of this is to involve collectively the affected communities on drawing development programmes. The recommendations of the WCD, though appearing complicated is certainly do-able. There is no short process to tackle water & energy development, which affects the lives of billions of people. We strongly believe it is the best process under which the concerns of all the stakeholders in water & energy projects will be fully addressed. Viewing the recommendations as a cumbersome process & impossible to achieve is a weak excuse to take park in a transformational process that will ensure a meaningful programme for the peoples interests and welfare after all the participation of people should always be at the core of any development model. For us in the Cordillera, the implementation of the WCD recommendations is most urgently needed. Because of the ongoing construction of 4 large dams, namely Bakun dam, San Rogue dam, Agbulu dam & Matuno dam, there is now a growing tension because affected communities are not properly consultated. If the concerns of the affected communities will not be addressed soon, this will be a clear setback in the resolution of problems related to large dams. Thus, we strongly push for the immediate implementation of the WCD recommendations by all the stakeholders, especially those involved in the dam projects in the Cordillera, Philippines. This will pave the way forward to a meaningful & constructive dialogue towards achieving our common goal for sustainable development. We extend our hands to all the stakeholders for us to work together under the framework of the" assessment of risks & recognition of rights" approach. We believe we can make a difference & move forward by engaging & collectively working to implement the WCD recommendations.

As a member of the WCD Forum, CPA has taken initiatives to disseminate the WCD report. the summary of the Report is now being translated in Ilocano to be published soon and will be distributed to dam affected communities. Likewise, we are also organising a national workshop for dam-affected people & NGOs to present & discuss the WCD report. We are also intending to call for a multi-stakeholders workshop in the Philippines on the WCD report towards a constructive dialogue for the implementation of the WCD recommendations and guidelines. This modest initiative undertaken by CPA as concrete steps towards making WCD report get of the ground and make a difference in the world we live in today.