KIBUNGAN, Benguet—Concerned indigenous people leaders here have petitioned the Cordillera office of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples to suspend the scheduled free and prior informed consent or FPIC proceedings for the 500-megawatt pump storage hydro project in Barangay Badeo.
The IP leaders are questioning the competence of the people behind the feasibility study, and the experts commissioned to explain the advantages and disadvantages of the project.
In a 27-page petition, the IPs demanded that project proponent Coheco Badeo Corp. present documents for the appreciation of the concerned parties during the hearing to be scheduled. They want to see the complete and final feasibility study of the project, signed and sealed by the person who prepared it, and essential plans and specifications of the project.
They also want to see the actual survey showing the exact location of the proposed project, showing the names of landowners, sitios, and barangays that will be affected, as well as indicative maps showing the route of transmission lines from sub-station to grid, among other requirements.