News

Central Luzon ICCs/IPs Clamor for Participatory Watershed Conservation & Management in Ancestral Domains

Posted on July 25, 2016

ICCs/IPs in Central Luzon—including BUGKALOT, the Save Sierra Madre Network Alliance—with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP - CAR and Central Office), and the local government of Alfonso Castañeda, Province of Nueva Vizcaya, joined the Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE) legal team in the National Power Corporation’s (NPC) third Public Hearing for Plan 13, at the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Hearing Room, Pasig City, last July 21, 2016. 

Representatives from NCIP, BUGKALOT, and the LGU of Alfonso Castaneda, Nueva Vizcaya

NPC shared Plan 13—its current efforts at conserving and managing the 11 NPC-managed watersheds. NPC utilizes the Environmental Charge (EC, one-fourth of one centavo per kilowatt-hour sales)—which is part of the Universal Charge (UC), a portion of electricity sales nationwide—in watershed rehabilitation and management. This year, the UC-EC budget request for approval is at P426.71 million.

Fr. Pete Montellano of Save Sierra Madre Network Alliance and FPE's Chairperson Dr. Paciencia Milan

FPE continues to advocate for inclusive consultation, participation, and transparency in NPC’s watershed management plans and utilization of the UC-EC. Atty. Danny Valenzuela reiterated that ICCs/IPs clamor for access to the funds for utilization according to their Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plans (ADSDPP), as stated in the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (Republic Act 8371) of 1997.

FPE continues to seek amendment of the rules on utilization of the UC-EC to allow ICCs/IPs access to sustainable mechanisms for participation in watershed rehabilitation and management.

FPE will be at the fourth public hearing in Lucena, Quezon, with its partners from the Caliraya-Lumot, Makiling-Banahaw, Buhi-Barit, and Tiwi Watersheds, on July 28, 2016.