Residents from four barangays in Dauin town have called for the temporary stop of an ongoing project of the National Irrigation Administration.

They signed a petition last week expressing alarm over the construction of the dam in Barangay Magsaysay, and the demonstration farm in Barangay Panubtuban that they said will eventually result in the siphoning of all water resources and emptying of the river bed.

The Dauin municipal council headed by Vice Mayor Frences Lora Aurala had passed a resolution addressed to the Asian Development Bank and the Office of the President, for the temporary halt of the projects.

They said the river dried up on September 3, 4, and 5 in 2006 when its current was diverted to the NIA demonstration farm.

Residents also questioned the manner of acquiring the land, claiming that some landowners were not consulted, and the NIA did not compensate for the damaged crops. Based on NIA records, the project costing P355 million intends to convert 20 hectares of coconut plantation into rice fields, 480 hectares into cornfields and 500 hectares into vegetables farms.

Residents also requested the Office of the President and the ADB to conduct a thorough investigation, and validate their complaints. The terms and conditions of the P355 million loan for the project was unclear to them, the complainants said, adding that they were told to become members of the irrigators association to avail of water.

Farmers said they are worried about the huge financial obligation, payment of service fees, and equity contribution, among others.

Araula said the project was conceived in 2001 when Mayor Rodrigo Alano was given the authority to sign a memorandum of agreement with NIA, but the terms and conditions were not mentioned. Clemente Araula was the NIA director that time.

The vice mayor said that in every project involving huge sums of money, a feasibility study and massive information campaign should be conducted.*JG

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