Report on the Libmanan-Cabusao Dam Project Forum

December 8, 2009 Ateneo de Naga University

OPENING MESSAGE

Fr. Granwell N. Pitapit, Executive Director of the Social Action Center of theDiocese of Libmanan, facilitator of said forum said that the event aims to clarifythe issues surrounding the project.Call it a debate if you will, the forum will delve into the major arguments from bothsides. The proponent calls the project a profitable infrastructure, relatively safeas it does not pose threat to life and property.Those against the project claim it to be too costly, environmentally unsafe andwill worsen the flood in Lupi and Sipocot.

PRESENTATION: About the Project

Engr. Luzviminda Martirez, Project Manager at the Bicol River BasinManagement Project/National Irrigation Administration presented the HistoricalBackground of the project, and other details.She said that in June 29, 2007, President Arroyo ordered NIA to conduct an FSto irrigate 2,125 hectares of Riceland in Libmanan-Cabusao.In February 13, 2008 the FS was presented to President Arroyo. Infrastructureworks were slated to be completed by 2008, rehab works by 2009.In March 24, 2008 Department of Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap presented theproject to the irrigators.In May 6, 2008, President Arroyo identified the Libmanan-Cabusao Dam (LCD)as one of her priority projects.The project would be funded through a soft loan from the World Bank.In May 7, 2008, The LCD Project was endorsed by RDC – V as it conforms to theregion’s thrust on increasing agricultural productivity through irrigation programs.In September 4, 2008, while visiting Libmanan and Iriga City, Pres. Arroyoordered NIA to accelerate the project, which was now locally-funded.In October 7, 2008, a Public Consultation was conducted at the Libmanancovered court. It was attended by residents from Libmanan, Sipocot, Cabusaoand Lupi.

In October 27, 2008, a Public technical Scoping was supervised by DENR-EMBManila.On February 4, 2009, RDC V declared LCD as supportive of the Bicol Medium-term Development Plan.In September 2009, an Environmental Compliance Certificate was issued byDENR-EMB.

Background on the Libmanan – Cabusao Pump Irrigation System (LCPIS)

Engr. Martirez continued presenting the background on the irrigation system. InJune1981, the USAID-funded LCPIS commenced. The P 85.6 M project has 2components: Flood control with the use of a dike and drainage.Implemented by DPWH, the LCPIS irrigated 2,195 hectares of rice farms in Lupiand Libmanan. The irrigation system was pumped by 2 units of 250-horsepowerelectric-driven motors.In 2000, NIA replaced the electric pumps with diesel as power source because itwas too costly.The projected benefited a total of 2,500 farmers then.However, LCPIS was stopped during the second half of 2004 as PresidentEstrada declared that irrigation fees should be free.NIA was forced to source the project through GOCCs. Because the farmerswere exempted from paying irrigation fees, NIA stared incurring debts.Pres. Estrada suspended his previous order, thereby exacting fees again fromfarmers for irrigation service.Because of this, NIA came up with the LCD project. Its objective is to optimizethe use of land and water resources by replacing pump used to irrigate thepresent system with a concrete diversion dam.The concrete structure with a height of 11.3 meters and 150-meter crest widthwill cost P 712 M. The 1.9 kilometer access road will span the Andaya highwayfrom Barangay Taisan to the LCD project.The P 307 M link canal which is 10.8 kilometers long will traverse 24 units ofstructures.

At present, 2,900 hectares of farmlands with 80,000farmers are being benefitedby the project. With the extension, additional 40 hectares will be covered andthere will be 305 farmers more to benefit.The estimated total contract works is P 1.3 Billion. An additional P 1.4 Billion willbe expended for road right-of-way and institutional development.

The totalproject plus contingencies is 1.9 Billion.

The over-all goal of the project is to increase crop production due to adequatesupply of irrigation water.With the Return of Investment of 17.84 percent for 50 years, the economichandling rate is 15 percent.The estimated agricultural productivity is projected to rise from P 207.97 M to P593.6 M.Another projected impact is the decrease of irrigation service fee. From 1,686farmers, the project will benefit 3,500 farmers.As of November, 2009 dam construction is placed at 12.6 percent completion.As of the link canal, procurement process is still on-going.The contract was awarded to A. M. Oreta Construction. Cost of contract is P 700M. NTP was served in May 14, 2009. The works will span 400 calendar days.The contract will expire on November 4, 2010.

Inundation Due to the Project

186 hectares in Lupi will be affected by the dam at elevation of 15 meters. 323households and 4 units of infrastructure will be affected, these are:1 Barrera Spillway2 Drainage Crossing3 San Rafael Spillway4 FootbridgeProposed Solution1 Construction of prevention dikes2 Relocation/resettlement of affected houses3 Construction of diversion channel from Colacling down to Sipocot river

In August 2009, the controversy arose when the preferred solution shifted from option (3) to option (2)

The LCD Coordinating Body headed by BRBDP’s Chito Monson calculated thatoption (3) would be more costly at P 5.6Billion as against P 500 M for option (2).