Excerpts are from MedNet’s study entitled 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐨-𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢 𝐃𝐚𝐦 𝐕 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭.
“As part of the results on the perception of the respondents from the study, it showed that more women than men are concerned about loss of livelihood and do not see any good potential effect of the project on their livelihood. Less than a dozen of the men respondents saw fishing and finding other sources of income as possible options. Also, more women respondents foresee that their children will have to stop school if the project happens.
Meanwhile, more men than women see the destruction of forest and rivers with the project. On the other hand, more women showed concern about the potential effects to water sources, the possible scarcity, devastation of rivers, and death of trees as a potential effect of the power plant.
Those within the age group 35-54 have the highest percentage who said that they will likely lose their livelihood. About six in 10 respondents of the same age group anticipate that their children will stop schooling once the project pushes through. Meanwhile, the 55 year-olds and above are the most concerned about the devastation, ruin, or damage to the environment. They are also the ones who foresee scarcity or inadequacy of water sources.
Meanwhile, those of ages 25-34 and 55 and above registered very low scores in perceiving difficulties, misery, harm or suffering.
Although there is an observed general similarity in the way the Lumad and the Dumagat perceive the project – that it will adversely affect their livelihoods, family life and the environment – there is nevertheless a marked difference in how they see the effects of the project on the rivers and water sources. More Dumagat than Lumad are concerned about the widening of the rivers and the resulting scarcity of water sources. It is noted that most of the Dumagat are into farming while the Lumad are into a mix of production systems.”
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“The proposed Pulangi V Hydro-Electric Power Plant (HEPP) is a power generation facility initiated by First Bukidnon Electric Cooperative (FIBECO) in Bukidnon. It will inundate 3,500 hectares of land, affecting 53 sitios in 22 barangays in four municipalities of Bukidnon and the municipality of President Roxas in Cotabato.”
Ma. Luisa Bautista is a development worker who specializes in advocacy campaigns and communications. She has experience in working on government and non-government settings, focused on the criminal law and child rights sector for almost 7 years. Currently, she is the Communications and Advocacy Officer of Mediators Network for Sustainable Peace.
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