Feb 24 2011
A Free and Prior Informed Consent Memorandum of Agreement (FPIC-MOA) has been signed between Hedcor and the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous People (ICCs/IPs) belonging to the Barangays Namatec and Napua for constructing a 13,200 kW capacity Sabangan Hydro Power Plant.
The ICCs who are well known inside the TINMAKUDO ancestral domain were present along with the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP). They were represented by their Council of Elders who was authorized by them.
As per the agreement, the ICCs/IPs would be the beneficiaries of this project by gaining not only gainful employment but also an annual Royalty amounting to P0.005 for every five years of successful operation. The Hedcor would pay a rental amount of P1.50 per square meter for the undeveloped and the developed land and also an amount of P2.00 for areas used as access road openings. The lease period is given out as five years, after which these roads would revert to Farm-to-Market roads. Moreover, Hedcor is also going to disburse a rent of P2.00 per Square Meter on a monthly basis, for the Vegetable Gardens and the Rice Paddies, which are to be substituted by the permanent structures of the Sabangan Hydro Power Plant. This amount would be increased by 5% after five years. Hedcor also has plans of building projects in the primary health, livelihood and infrastructure sectors.
Hedcor is also expected to take care to prevent pollution and environmental damage while constructing and operating the Sabangan Plant and keep in mind the health and safety of the operating personnel.