MABINI, Pangasinan, Philippines — Residents have opposed a plan of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to construct a dam in this town.
In a public consultation conducted on June 25, Mabini town Mayor Ariel de Guzman reiterated the residents’ sentiments, saying his municipality would have only minimal benefit from the project compared to the benefits that neighboring towns would obtain.
De Guzman said the town’s agriculture and tourism industry as well as the people’s livelihood would be adversely affected should the project push through.
He said the construction of a major dam at an elevated portion of Barangay De Guzman would result in the death of the Balincaguing River.
De Guzman cited the possibility of a landslide occurring in the future, noting that the soil in the area where the dam is planned to be constructed is soft.
The NIA has yet to comment on the matter.