As to writing, November 17, 2020, more than 290,000 people have already signed a petition urging the Duterte administration to stop the P10.37-billion China-funded Kaliwa Dam project in Quezon province.

The Kaliwa Dam project which is located at Gen. Nakar and Infanta towns,  projects a serious threat to people and the environment, according to priest Pete Montallana, head of environmentalist groups “Save Sierra Madre Alliance” and “Stop Kaliwa Dam” network.

According to Green Convergence Philippines, the group who started the petition, halting the Kaliwa Dam project would save more than 100,000 lives in danger.

“While Manila is now preparing for the Big One earthquake of the Marikina West Valley Fault, the proposed 60-meter Kaliwa Dam will be constructed within a zone of two active tectonics represented by the Philippine Fault Zone and the Valley Fault System.” Green Convergence Philippines said.

The group also said that the project violates the law, saying that Kaliwa Dam project “would essentially violate R.A. 8173 and R.A. 7586.”

“Up until now, there is no Free, Prior, and Informed Consent ever given by the Dumagat-Remontados for this construction as required by R. A. 8173. Neither has there been an Environmental Compliance Certificate as required by R.A. 7586 and yet your advisers have scheduled the signing on November 11, 2018.” The group said.

The project also poses to severely destroy Sierra Madre—the longest mountain range in the country, spans 10 provinces, three regions, and protects 50 million lives in Luzon as Sierra Madre literally absorbs a typhoon and weakens it.

Sierra Madre is considered one of the most biodiverse areas as it is a key habitat to 15 species of amphibians, 334 bird species, 1476 fish species, 963 invertebrate species, 81 mammal species, 50 plant species, and 60 reptile species. and the largest remaining tract of rainforest in the country.

You can sign the petition here