NPA owns burning equipment at dam

From the Visayan Daily Star (May 10): NPA owns burning equipment at dam
Members of the Mt. Cansermon Command (MCC) of the New People’s Army admitted yesterday the burning of a backhoe and other construction equipment on Monday, saying they are against the dam project being built by the National Irrigation Administration in Brgy. Tan-awan, Kabankalan City.

In their press statement dated May 8, the MCC said that the burning of the backhoe, generator set, bunkhouse and other construction equipment for building the dam is their way of opposing this “anti-people” project of the government under the Ilog-Hilabangan River Basin Project (IHRBP).

The construction of the dam has negative effects on the people who live in the area, it made the river deeper and it is harder for boats to cross it, especially if loaded with goods.

The river is also the gateway for the people to the barangay proper of Tan-awan and Saise, the public market, and other places in Kabankalan and Himamaylan City. These challenges were especially experienced when heavy rains poured in the area, the statement said.

MCCalso claimed that these resulted to the displacement of people working at the construction sites and the affected farmers were forced to get P15,000 to P30,000aid.

The statement added that the project has also become an alleged avenue for the barangay officials to get P50 deduction from the workers of the project. MCC said the workers receive only P250, instead of P300 daily, as the officials who hired them get the P50.

They also said that ultimately, the project will not benefit small farmers but will serve the haciendas of several families.

MCC called for the people who are affected by the project to unite and oppose the building of the dam.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2018/May/10/topstory11.htm