Scientists, researchers, and volunteers launched an Environmental and Socio-Cultural Impact Mission (ESCIM) in Pakil, Laguna, from June 27 to 28 to study the effects of the Ahunan Dam construction in the municipality. The mission was led by the groups Advocates of Science and Technology for the People (AGHAM)-Southern Tagalog and Kalikasan-Southern Tagalog, in cooperation with the Network Opposed to Ahunan Dam and Mamamayang Nagmamahal sa Pakil.

More than 60 people from various universities and localities participated in the mission. Over two days, they researched the dam’s impact on biodiversity, water resources, livelihoods, and local culture.

The Ahunan Dam is a pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant designed to generate 1,400 megawatts of electricity upon completion. Its design is similar to the nearby Caliraya Dam built in 1939 in Kalayaan, Laguna. It will draw 1.6 million cubic meters of water from Laguna de Bay and pump it to a reservoir atop the Sierra Madre mountains.

Residents of Pakil strongly oppose the dam’s construction, warning that it poses a significant risk of triggering landslides and destroying natural mountain springs. Since the project began, there has also been continuous cutting of lanzones, santol, rambutan, coconut, and other fruit trees in the area.

The construction also threatens Pakil’s local culture. The Ahunan Dam is set to be built on top of Mount Ping-as, home to a shrine that devotees climb annually every last Sunday of May—a religious tradition known as “Ahunan sa Ping-as.”

Due to their efforts to halt the project, Pakil residents have faced state harassment. Among them is Daisy Macapanpan, who was charged with rebellion in 2022 for opposing the dam. The case against Macapanpan was dismissed a year later.

The results of the ESCIM are expected to be released this July.

Bourgeois-comprador Razon

The Ahunan Dam is funded and promoted by bourgeois-comprador Enrique K. Razon Jr, who also owns Manila Water and holds a monopoly in port logistics in the Philippines.

On June 15, Forbes magazine reported that Razon, with a net worth of approximately $18.8 billion (₱1.27 trillion), ranks as the 143rd richest person in the world. He is the wealthiest Filipino and has been dubbed the first “trillionaire” in the Philippines.

Razon’s largest businesses include International Container Terminal Services Inc. (with gross revenues of ₱77.3 billion), Manila Water Co. (₱66.6 billion), and Bloomberry Resorts Corp. (₱53.9 billion). He also holds business interests in mining, renewable energy, electricity, real estate, oil, and investments. He owns 60% of four gas-fired power plants previously held by the Lopez family.

In March, he acquired SierraCol Energy Limited, the largest independent oil and gas company in Colombia, from The Carlyle Group.

—with reports from Kalatas, revolutionary newspaper in Southern Tagalog