TAPAZ, Capiz – Indigenous people (IP) here have given the go-signal for the Panay River Basin Integrated Development Project.
In exchange, the provincial government provided them livelihood assistance.
Gov. Antonio del Rosario led the signing of the agreement and the turnover of the Free Prior Informed Consent on Dec. 12 at the Civic Center.
Seen to solve the perennial flooding in various parts of the province, the project has the following components: hydropower, irrigation, flood mitigation, and domestic and industrial supply.
Capitol provided assistance to the IPs in the following villages: Acuña, Abangay, Aglinab, Buri, Daan Sur, Nayawan, Tacayan, Lahug, Bato-Bato, Sinunod, Siya, Taganghin, Aglupacan, Daan Norte, Hilwan, Mabini, Maliao, Minan, Rizal Norte, and Rizal Sur.
They were given 200 goats, grains and corn, coconut seedlings, an 8 mega-horsepower generator set, and school supplies.
Seventeen IP children will be provided with college scholarships, while a road will be built in their area with the help of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division. A relocation site for the IPs was being studied as of this writing.
Del Rosario asked the IPs cooperation. “You will not be abandoned,” he said, assuring that capitol will help protect their livelihood. (Michelle Oropio, Capiz Aksyon News Center/PN)
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