This document has been prepared by the Agham Advocates of Science& Technology for the People (AGHAM) to aid local communities threatened by dam projects. This reference document contain information and tools that can be used by the community to have a better understanding of dams and make informed decisions how to collectively approach the dam project in their area. This guide is not exhaustive and complete, but centers on basic questions to learn more about the dam project in the area and to guide further research.

1. 1
Prepared by AGHAM Advocates of Science and Technology for the People
February 2015
Introduction
Dams are structures created to block the flow of water in rivers to contain it for irrigation, flood
control, generation of energy, and others. Dams vary depending on the structures, purpose,
size, and materials used. Most dams serve are constructed for a specific purpose such as water
supply, flood control, irrigation, navigation, sedimentation control, and hydropower. Now,
however, there is a growing number of multipurpose dams. 1
According to the most recent publication of the World Register of Dams, irrigation is by far the
most common purpose of dams. Among the single purpose dams, 48 % are for irrigation, 17%
for hydropower (production of electricity), 13% for water supply, 10% for flood control, 5% for
recreation and less than 1% for navigation and fish farming.2
According to World Commission on Dams (WCD) published in 2000, there were more than
45,000 existing mega dams around the globe. Most of these dams were constructed during 70’s
and since then, 60% decrease in construction of dams were observed. In 20th
century alone,
there was $2 T spent in construction of dams globally with $32-46 B annual budget.
Various government entities construct mega dams supposedly as a significant tool to fulfill the
growing need for water and energy, in anticipation of long term foreign investment that would
supposedly benefit various sectors of the society. However, the promises of dams often fail, as
documented in countries across the globe.
In the Philippines, though touted as essential to meet the water and power requirements in
urban areas and irrigation water for vast farms in rural areas, these dams, such as Binga,
Ambuklao, San Roque and Magat in Luzon and Pulangi in Mindanao, have not delivered the
promises it is said to bring to the local communities. Power and water rates are in an all-time
high and poor farmers cannot keep up with the rising costs of irrigating their farmlands.
Now, the Aquino Administration, with its Public-Private Partnership, is pushing for yet more
dams to be constructed in the country, such as Laiban Dam Project, Jalaur, Balog-balog, Bagto,
Naujan, Bongabong and Baco.
This document has been prepared by the Agham Advocates of Science& Technology for the
People (AGHAM) to aid local communities threatened by dam projects. This reference
document contain information and tools that can be used by the community to have a better
understanding of dams and make informed decisions how to collectively approach the dam

2. 2
project in their area. This guide is not exhaustive and complete, but centers on basic questions
to learn more about the dam project in the area and to guide further research.
General impacts of dams
In 1993, the International Commissions on Large Dam (ICOLD) released a study made by
experts from all around the world in order to have a better understanding of dams and their
impacts. The said study is considered to be the complete and knowledgeable technical
document that was produced as reference for large dam projects. The two following section
summarizes the two detailed chapters of the ICOLD study regarding the environmental and
social impacts of large dams all around the world.
Environmental impacts of dams
The Commission report explained the impact of dam structure in blocking the natural flow of
rivers that would result to deleterious impact to the environment. The flow and water
temperature variation would result to drastic impact on the flora and fauna of the riverine
ecosystem. Plants that are living permanently or partially in flowing water will be affected that
would deprive food sources to higher form of living organisms such as various species of fish.
Apart from the destruction of the food resources, the barriers created by the dam has
physiological impact on fish reproduction, causing significant decrease in its juvenile population
and the eventual collapse of the fish riverine ecosystem.
The environmental destruction brought about by big dam has been experienced in Egypt where
the construction of Aswan High Dam in the Nil led to serious erosion problems in the delta of the
Nil. Based on the study, there are about 5 to 8 meters soil erosion per year but in extreme case,
it may exceed 240 meters per years.3
Erosion leads to the irreversible loss in productive
agricultural land and biodiversity
According to the Commission Report, the environmental impact can be minimized if the
potential threats will be identified to be accorded with proper environmental plan and
management. In the study made by the ICOLD, the associated impacts of large dams are
oftentimes misestimated, missing the crucial points in addressing the problems and conflicts
arising from the dam project.
Social impacts of dams
The study made by the ICOLD showed that the communities living in downstream area of the
dam structure are bearing the most burden as their cultural and socio-economic conditions are
influenced by the imposition of the dam project proponent.
The local communities remain impoverished despite the promises of the company that includes
compensation from their displacement of their homes and livelihood. The indigenous peoples
are the most vulnerable in many developing projects such as large dams. According to the
report of the World Commissions on Dams, 40 to 80 million people were physically displaced by

3. 3
dams worldwide.4
In many countries such as Thailand, there are various indigenous people’s
group that have been displaced without any compensation or due to lack of legal document of
land property. In South Africa, women lost everything because they do not have legal right to
own a house.
Those who were relocated had a hard time coping-up because they were also displaced
economically as their work areas were quite far from their previous one. The report also showed
that it is more the rich people and the private corporation rather that the local communities and
the private corporation who are reeking benefits from the project.
World Commission on Dams
The World Commission on Dams (WCD) was formed in April 1997, to research the
environmental, social and economic impacts of the development of large dams globally. The
WCD consisted of members of civil society, academia, the private sector, professional
associations and one government representative. The ultimate outcome of the WCD was a final
report which was launched in November 2000. The WCD established the most comprehensive
guidelines for dam building to date and issued key recommendations.
The key points of WCD Report, Dams and Development: A new framework for decision-making,
2000 5
are as follows:
Main messages
 Dams have made an important and significant contribution to human development,
and the benefits derived from them have been considerable.
 In too many cases an unacceptable, and often unnecessary and high price has been
paid to secure those benefits, especially in social and environmental terms, by
people displaced, by communities downstream, by taxpayers and by the natural
environment.
 Lack of equity in the distribution of benefits has called into question the value of
many dams in meeting water and energy development needs when compared with
the alternatives.
 By bringing to the table all those whose rights are involved, and who bear the risks
associated with different options for water and energy resources development, the
conditions for a positive resolution of conflicts and competing interests are created.
 Negotiating outcomes will greatly improve the development effectiveness of water
and energy projects by eliminating unfavorable projects at an early stage, and by
offering as a choice only those options that key stakeholders agree represent the
best ones to meet the needs in question.
 There are no shortcuts to equitable and sustainable development.
Recommendations for a New Policy Framework
The Commission sets out this constructive and innovative way forward for decision- making in
the form of the seven strategic priorities listed here:
 Gaining Public Acceptance

4. 4
 Comprehensive Options Assessment
 Addressing Existing Dams
 Sustaining Rivers and Livelihoods
 Recognizing Entitlements and Sharing Benefits
 Ensuring Compliance
 Sharing Rivers for Peace, Development and Security
Five Key Decision Points: The WCD Criteria
The Commission has identified five key stages and associated decision points for the energy
and water sector. The most fundamental of these is selection of the preferred development plan.
This determines what options will be pursued to meet needs and whether or not a dam is to be
built. This decision is only taken after needs and the available options to meet those needs have
been fully assessed. Each of the five stages requires a commitment to agreed procedures
culminating in a decision point that governs the course of future action and allocation of
resources. At each decision point it is essential to test compliance with preceding processes
before giving authority to proceed to the next stage. These points are not exhaustive, and within
each stage many other decisions are taken and agreements reached.
1. Needs assessment: validating the needs for water and energy services. Confirmation
is required that plans for water and energy development reflect local and national
needs adequately. An appropriate decentralized consultation process is used to
validate the needs assessment and modify it where necessary.
2. Selecting alternatives: identifying the preferred development plan from among the full
range of options. The preferred development plan is selected through a participatory
multi-criteria assessment that gives the same significance to social and
environmental aspects as to technical, economic and financial aspects and covers
the full range of policy, program, and project options. Within this process,
investigations and studies are commissioned on individual options to inform decision-
making as required; for example, demand-side management studies or feasibility
studies. Where a dam emerges as a preferred option, the following key decision
points occur for project preparation, implementation and operation.
3. Project preparation: verifying agreements are in place before tender of the
construction contract. The preparation stage covers detailed planning and design.
Licenses issued for development of a project incorporate any conditions that emerge
from the options assessment process. Tendering the construction contract is
conditional upon reaching negotiated agreements for benefit- sharing mechanisms
and for mitigation, compensation, development and compliance measures, in
addition to technical requirements.
4. Project implementation: confirming compliance before commissioning. The
implementation stage covers procurement and construction. Issuing the license to
operate is contingent on implementation of specific benefit sharing and mitigation
measures at various stages through the implementation period. Compliance with all
relevant time-bound commitments is required before commissioning the project.

5. 5
5. Project operation: adapting to changing contexts. Any decisions to modify facilities,
operating rules, and license conditions to meet changing contexts are based on a
participatory review of project performance and impacts.
Gathering information about the large dam
The above section summarized the main points of the WCD report to provide an overview of
several principles and standards large dam projects should follow. For a more detailed
description of the results and criteria of the WCD, refer to the main report.
The first question that needs to be answered is: According to the needs of the community, is the
dam project the best option among all the development options available? As with the
experience of other communities, the locals know little about the project and would need further
data to make informed decisions.
The following section contains some basic questions on the dam project that the government or
proponents should be able to answer. These questions could be used by the impacted
community to gather basic information and knowledge about the dam project and to raise these
inquiries to the government and project proponent.
Several documents served as reference for the questions which are grouped in five (5) sections:
dam structure, project planning, water concern, environmental concerns and security concerns.
The format of the guide below is that the main question is on the left column while additional
questions and notes are on the right column. Necessary documents are ideally needed to
answer the questions.
1. Questions regarding the project and structure
Question Notes/ further questions
What kind of dam is it? Definition of Large Dam6
A large dam is defined as one which is:
(a) more than I5 meters in height measured from the lowest
point of the general foundations to the ‘crest’ of the dam,
(b) more than 10 meters in height measured as in (a) provided
they comply with at least one of the following conditions:
(i) the crest is not less than 500 meters in length
(ii) the capacity of the reservoir formed by the dam is
not less than 1 million cubic meters
(iii) the maximum flood discharge dealt with by the dam
is not less than 2000 cubic meters per second
(iv) the dam is of unusual design
What is the purpose of the
dam?
Purpose of the Dam7

6. 6
Dams are structural barriers built to obstruct or control the flow
of water in rivers and streams. They are designed to serve two
broad functions. The first is the storage of water to
compensate for fluctuations in river discharge (flow) or in
demand for water and energy. The second is the increase of
hydraulic head, or the difference in height between water
levels in the lake created upstream of the dam and the
downstream river. By creating additional storage and head,
dams can serve one or more purposes:
 Generating electricity;
 Supplying water for agricultural, industrial, and
household needs;
 Controlling the impact of floodwaters; and
 Enhancing river navigation.
What type of dam is it? Classes of Dams8
Four major classes of dams are based on the type of
construction and materials used: embankment, gravity, arch,
and buttress.
(a) Embankment: Embankment dams typically are constructed
of compacted earth, rock, or both, making them less
expensive than others that are constructed of concrete.
Consequently, more than 80 percent of all large dams are of
this type. Embankment dams have a triangular-shaped profile
and typically are used to retain water across broad rivers.
(b) Gravity: Gravity dams consist of thick, vertical walls of
concrete built across relatively narrow river valleys with firm
bedrock. Their weight alone is great enough to resist
overturning or sliding tendencies due to horizontal loads
imposed by the upstream water.
(c) Arch: Arch dams, also constructed of concrete, are
designed to transfer these loads to adjacent rock formations.
As a result, arch dams are limited
(d) Buttress: Buttress dams are essentially hollow gravity
dams constructed of steel-reinforced concrete or timber.
Where will the dam be
constructed?
 Will the dam be built in one of the major river in the
Philippines?
 Will the dam be part of a series of dams on this river?
 Is the proposed dam location subject to International
Commitments such as UNSECO world heritage or RAMSAR?
 What are the communities and ecosystems to be affected by the
dam?
What are the
specifications of the
project?
 How much water the reservoir will contain and use for
irrigation?
 How much power the project will produce?

7. 7
 Is there a proposed elevation for the raised of the water
level?
 Does the proponent have an environmental management
system?
What is the project
description, who are the
entities involved and other
details of the project?
 How much does the project cost?
 Is there a specific period during the year where the
operation of the dam might be different than the usual?
 What is the project timeline? Does the construction period
have been fixed?
 Who will own the dam?
 Who will manage the dam?
 Who are the other organizations, persons and entities
involved in the project?
What is the profile of the
corporations involved?
 Name of the Corporation
 Date when was the Corporation Established
 Address
 Name of the President
 Main area operation
 Last year net income
 Number of employees
 Situation in the Philippines
 Partners
 Percentage share of partners
 Business background of partners
What are the associated
infrastructures of the
project?
 Will the materiel use for the construction site be bought
locally?
 Will the project need to destroy building or any existing
construction?
 Will the dam project consider and incorporate the existing
infrastructure from the new one?
 Will the project require power lines or pipelines?
 Will the project require accommodation for staff?
 Will the project require the construction of access roads?
 Does the project include construction of fish canals in
order to reduce the marine impact?
 Will there be any port facilities constructed to service the
project?
2. Questions related to project need and planning
Question Notes/ further questions
Was the local community
informed and consulted all
throughout the project
life?
 What is the actual cost of the project?
 What are the benefits of the project?
 How will the community benefit from the project?
 How much will the proponents profit from the project?
Has the proponent
demonstrated they are in
 Has the project received regulatory approval such as an
Environmental Compliance Certificate?

8. 8
compliance with all
applicable laws to operate
a dam in this area?
Will the dam be used for
irrigation?
 Is there an actual need for irrigation water now?
 At what price they will be able to sell the irrigation water?
 Is it possible that the cost for the irrigation water will greatly
increase in the next years?
Will the dam be used for
power generation?
 Is there a market demand for the source of power?
 Does the proponent know at what price they will be able to sell
the power?
 Is there other alternative to produce power for this market?
 Will the project require long power line to reach this market?
 Is it possible that the cost for the power will greatly increase in
the next years?
How much money will be
shouldered by the
government or taxpayer?
 Will the government be providing extra money for roads
maintenance or new infrastructure needed for this project?
 Will the government controlling minority part in the project?
Is there an expected use
of the site after project
closure?
 Have closure standards been set? Has the community been
consulted on these?
 Does the proponent have a financial provision for closure?
 Is there a plan to decommission the dam someday after the
closure?
 Will any infrastructure be left for the local community post
closure (water sources, accommodation etc.?)
3. Questions related to water concerns
Question Notes/ further questions
How will the project
impact the existing water
system?
 Will the project require the diversion of a river or creek?
 Will the project have potential impacts on groundwater?
 Will the project have emissions that are likely to impact nearby
creeks, rivers, lakes or the ocean?
Will floods be a problem
all throughout the project
cycle?
 Has the proponent completed flood modeling?
 Is there a flood management plan?
 Has consideration been given to landslides?
How will the marine/ river
ecosystem be affected by
the project?
 Will there be any emissions at the open sea?
 Is there an available listing of the living organism in the river?
 Is there a listing of the living organism that will not be able to
adapt to their new environment?
 Is there a listing of the fishes that will not be able to adapt to
their new environment?
 Does the project include measure to reduce marine impacts?
4. Questions related to environmental concerns
Question Notes/ further questions
How will forested or planted
areas be affected by the
project?
 How much area will be cleared all throughout the project cycle?
 Are there areas susceptible to erosion?
 Has the proponent characterized the soils in the area?
 Is the area unique or crucial for the fauna/aquatic life in the
region?

9. 9
 Will the project require any land reclamation?
How will the biodiversity be
affected?
 Has baseline data been collected to determine populations of
plants and animals in the area?
 Are there any threatened plants, animals or ecosystems in the
area?
 Is there a relocation plan for the animals that would be
displaced?
 Are there government environmental standards to protect the
fauna and flora that the project must observe?
How will the air quality be
affected by the project?
 Will there be air emissions?
 Is dust generation from this project likely to be an issue?
 Is the project actively trying to reduce its carbon footprint?
5. Questions related to security
Question Notes/ further questions
Has an environmental and
safety risk analysis been
completed by the
proponent?
 Is there a seismic study and simulation made for this dam
project?
 Are there crucial or important infrastructures near the dam
project like hospital or historical landmark?
 Are there infrastructures near the dam project that are
dangerous if an accident happens like land field or toxic
industry?
 Are there some important transportation roads or railways near
the dam project?
 Does the life of the structure have been set?
How will the safety of
nearby communities be
ensured all throughout the
project?
 Is there a high population living near the project?
 Does the proponent have emergency management plans?
 Have the community been consulted about the emergency
management plans?
 Are the citizens or their local representatives aware of the
procedure in case of emergency?
 If ever there is an accident, is there a minimal fixed fine or
compensation for the victims?
How will the safety of the
project's workers be
ensured?
 Does the proponent have a yearly formation program for his
employees regarding the emergency plan?
 If ever there is an accident, is there a minimal fixed fine or
compensation for the victims?
How will the safety of the
structure be ensured all
throughout the project?
 Who conducts the safety inspection of the project?
 Will there be detailed reports of the inspection and the security
of the structure made by the proponent annually?
 Is there a maximal frequency fix between two inspections?
 Will the inspector be having a civil engineering background?
 Is there a listing of the worst accidents possible and response
for likely scenarios?
Note: The above questions are derived from several references and the guide is not exhaustive or
comprehensive. Questions, comments and suggestions on how this guide can be improved are
very much welcome. Please contact the secretariat at +63 2 998 4226 or secretariat@agham.org.
For more information about Agham, visit www.agham.org.

10. 10
1 http://www.ancold.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/DWW-damsandworldwater.pdf
2 http://www.icold-cigb.org/GB/Dams/role_of_dams.asp
3 The Report of the World Commission on Dams, Abdel Megeed and Aly Makky, 1993, p.81
4 The Report of the World Commission on Dams, Abdel Megeed and Aly Makky, 1993, p.81
5 http://www.unep.org/dams/WCD/report/WCD_DAMS%20report.pdf
6 http://www.ancold.org.au/?page_id=24
7 http://www.waterencyclopedia.com/Da-En/Dams.html#ixzz3RsnKxUhy
8 http://www.waterencyclopedia.com/Da-En/Dams.html#ixzz3Rsnzzvfx