Thread by @rapplerdotcom

LOOK: Jillie Karl Basan shares artwork by her 19-year-old nephew EJ Basan. The artwork was inspired by the Isnag tribe’s struggle against Pan Pacific Renewable Power Philippines Corp.’s 4 hydropower dam projects along the Apayao-Abulog River, Apayao province. | via @Weng_De_Vera

@Weng_De_Vera EJ explained that his work represents the Philippine flag and the future of Apayao concerning PPRPC’s dam projects, which the local and national governments are backing. | via @Weng_De_Vera

@Weng_De_Vera "The piece can be seen as the Philippine flag, [with] the sun, red (square, left side), and the blue (rectangle, right side). The red side represents warmth and prosperity, while the blue side represents sadness and barrenness..." | via @Weng_De_Vera

@Weng_De_Vera "Just like the flipping of the flag in a state of war, whichever will be the future of Apayao, that side of the painting will prevail. On the red side, we can see children swimming and playing in the river (happiness)..." | via @Weng_De_Vera

@Weng_De_Vera "…while their father catches fish for their meal (source of food and work). Behind them are rich and dense forests and their home; the faces above represent our ancestors watching over us and giving us these blessings." | via @Weng_De_Vera

@Weng_De_Vera "On the blue side, we can see just the reservoir and the dam, and all the other elements disappeared," EJ said. | via @Weng_De_Vera

@Weng_De_Vera EJ lives in Baguio but is aware of the issue since their family is part of the campaign.

“Our parents – his grandparents – are very much involved. My dad is one of the elders opposing the dams,” Jillie said. | via @Weng_De_Vera

@Weng_De_Vera Elders & community leaders from the town of Kabugao recently declared former NCIP Cordillera Dir. Marlon Bosantog and current OIC Dir. Atanacio Addog persona non grata (PNG) in their ancestral domain in connection with the dam project. | via @Weng_De_Vera

@Weng_De_Vera The PNG declaration, signed by more than 100 elders and community leaders, includes PPRPC and its agents. Attached with the declaration are documents supporting their allegations against the two NCIP Cordillera officials. | via @Weng_De_Vera

@Weng_De_Vera They accused the two officials of appointing fake community representatives and manipulating the Free, Prior & Informed Consent for the Gened Dam 1 to ensure NCIP’s green light for the project. | via @Weng_De_Vera

@Weng_De_Vera Addog was the Team Leader for the Gened 1 dam FPIC process. Bosantog backed the issuance of Certification Precondition for the project despite procedural flaws & violations in the process raised by the Regional Review Team. | via @Weng_De_Vera

@Weng_De_Vera The NCIP Commission En Banc gave its verbal approval to issue the Certification Precondition for the project on August 13. FPIC process for Gened 2 is ongoing. | via @Weng_De_Vera