February 4, 2016 - The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Region VI facilitated a meeting with Tapaz Indigenous Peoples (IP) for the participatory strategic planning and workshop for the implementation of commitments stipulated in the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) by and between the IPs, NIA, and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) for the conduct of Feasibility Study (FS) of the proposed Panay River Basin Integrated Development Project (PRBIDP) in the Municipality of Tapaz, Capiz.
PRBIDP features 2 dams and a highline canal with components such as flood control, drainage, irrigation, potable water supply, and hydropower generation.
26 barangays will be affected during the conduct of activities relative to the FS for PRBIDP. Out of these, 19 barangays are IP areas, thus Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) process must be duly conducted as mandated by Republic Act 8371 or Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997. With this, the Strategic Planning and Workshop was conducted to validate and level off the community's demands, present the implementation plans on NIA's commitments for the FS, and discuss other issues related to the said activities.
Governor Victor A. Tanco, Sr. of the Province of Capiz appealed to the IPs to support this project as this will provide inclusive growth and development to Capiz by way of Flood Mitigation, Irrigation, Power, and Bulk Water Supply for domestic and industrial use.
Governor Victor A. Tanco, Sr. appeals support from IPs for the implementation of PRBIDP
"Ako nagkadto gid diri para mag apelar sa inyo (IPS) nga buligan ta nga mapatigayon ining proyekto kay kadamo gid sang bentaha nga mabaton naton sa Capiz. Isa na ang magpahagan-hagan sang baha, kuryente, kag bastante nga supply sang tubig.", Gov. Tanco.
Governor Tanco believes that this project is for the good of the IPs and the entire province.
"Kami sa gobyerno indi gid maghatag sang proyekto nga makapalain sa inyo. Tanan ginahimo namon para sa inyo gid nga kaayohan. Ang gobyerno kaapin ninyo.", he added.
In the next 2 days, as requested by the IPs, they will be brought to Barotac Viejo Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (BVSRIP), community-managed eco-tourism spots, agri-tourism centers, organic farming and high value crop production sites as social preparation for the establishment of the same concepts within their own communities through convergence initiative of NIA with other government agencies and the LGU.
IP representatives from 19 affected barangays of Tapaz, Capiz
Regional Irrigation Manager Engr. Gerardo P. Corsiga of National Irrigation Administration Region VI and Governor Victor A. Tanco, Sr. of the Province of Capiz
