Defend Our Rivers: Stop the Construction of Destructive Dams! Stop the Human Rights Violations!

The fight against the construction of destructive dams on ancestral lands continues as we oppose environmental destruction and protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples. The International Day of Action for Rivers and Against Dams serves as a critical moment to register resistance against these projects and to advocate for genuine development that respects Indigenous Peoples' rights and upholds the interests of Filipino masses rather than businesses and foreign corporations.

The Threat of Mega Dams on Ancestral Lands

Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines continue to face the imposition of massive water infrastructure projects on their territories.

Numerous proposed dams, including the Kaliwa-Kanan-Laiban Dam in Southern Luzon, the Balog-Balog Dam in Central Luzon, the Jalaur Megadam in Western Visayas, and the Malitubog-Marudagao Irrigation Project in Northern Mindanao, pose significant threats to Indigenous groups such as the Dumagat, Dumagat-Remontado, Ayta, Tumandok, Erumanen ne Menuvu, and Igorot Peoples.

Additionally, over 100 dam projects are planned across the Cordillera region, a critical watershed for Northern Luzon.

The Cordillera, often referred to as the "water cradle" of Northern Luzon, is home to six major river systems and has an estimated energy generation potential of 3,600 megawatts. This region has long been at the center of dam-related conflicts, with resistance dating back to the proposed Chico River Dam project over five decades ago. Presently, there are 16 operational hydropower facilities in the region, primarily in Benguet, with an additional 80 projects in various stages of development.

Violation of the Right to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC)

A major concern surrounding these dam projects is the persistent violation of the Indigenous right to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC). Government agencies and private corporations often bypass or manipulate the FPIC process to fast-track projects. The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) has proposed changes to the FPIC process that weaken Indigenous participation, shorten timelines for project approval, and sideline meaningful consultation. Indigenous voices have largely been excluded from these critical revisions, undermining their decision-making rights and disregarding their resistance against environmentally and culturally destructive projects.

Human Rights Violations and Militarization in Indigenous Communities

The construction of large dams in the Philippines has historically been accompanied by human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings and militarization. In Rizal province, two Dumagat community members actively opposing the Kaliwa-Kanan-Laiban Dam were killed in their home by security forces, with evidence planted to justify the attack. Similarly, in Capiz, nine Tumandok leaders—known for resisting the Jalaur River Mega Dam—were massacred, and 16 others were arrested under dubious circumstances.

Militarization has also intensified in areas like Negros Island, where Indigenous communities resisting the proposed Hilabangan River Hydroelectric Project face mass arrests, torture, and accusations of insurgency. In Kalinga, where multiple hydroelectric projects have been awarded to private firms, opposition communities have been systematically excluded from consultations, pressured into compliance, and subjected to military harassment, including aerial bombings and red-tagging of activists.

Impact on Livelihoods, Culture, and Heritage

Beyond environmental destruction, large-scale hydropower projects have devastating socio-economic and cultural consequences. These projects disrupt traditional farming, submerge sacred sites, and force entire communities to relocate, severing Indigenous Peoples’ deep-rooted connection to their ancestral lands. The construction of these dams is expected to displace over 100,000 people, severely impacting their livelihoods and food security.

Rise in Resistance: A Call to Protect Ancestral Lands

The Panaghiusa Philippine Network to Uphold Indigenous Peoples’ Rights stand with Indigenous Peoples in urging the Marcos Jr. administration to halt all destructive dam projects and to uphold the rights and welfare of affected communities. The NCIP must fulfill its mandate to protect Indigenous rights, rather than facilitate corporate and state interests. 

Indigenous resistance against these destructive projects is deeply tied to their historical struggle for land, life, and dignity. This is not a rejection of development; rather, it is a call for a just, inclusive, and people-centered development that respects both Indigenous Peoples’ rights and the environment. 

Photo courtesy by Sherwin de Vera, Bulatlat