by Elmer Valenzuela

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) has formally lifted the cease and desist order (CDO) it issued in May 2026 against the Ahunan Pakil Pumped Storage Hydropower Project after Ahunan Power Inc. (API) assured the agency that construction activities would not adversely affect the town’s centuries-old heritage church and that mitigation measures are being implemented.

In a letter signed by NHCP Chairperson Regalado Trota Jose Jr., the Commission acknowledged the company’s commitment to protecting the San Pedro de Alcantara Parish Church, a declared cultural property and one of the oldest churches in the Philippines.

The letter, which referred to Ahunan Power Inc.’s June 26, 2026 communication, stated that the company had outlined its dust mitigation and environmental monitoring measures and assured the NHCP that the hydropower project would not negatively affect the historic church.

“The NHCP acknowledges the commitment of Ahunan Power Inc. to continuously implement these mitigation measures to prevent any adverse effects on the church and its immediate surroundings,” the Commission said.

It added that, as approved by the NHCP Board on June 25, 2026, “the Cease and Desist Order previously issued by the Commission is hereby lifted.”

The NHCP also expressed its intention to continue coordinating with Ahunan Power Inc. on the proposed development of cultural heritage sites in Pakil while reiterating that any undertaking affecting cultural properties remains subject to NHCP evaluation, appropriate clearances, and consultation with the local community.

The Commission issued the cease and desist order in May 25, 2026 after raising concerns that ongoing construction activities associated with the Ahunan project could adversely affect the San Pedro de Alcantara Parish Church and other cultural properties in Pakil. The NHCP cited the need to protect the municipality’s historical and cultural heritage while assessing the possible impacts of the project’s excavation, heavy equipment operations, vibrations, dust, and other construction activities on heritage structures and sites.

The decision, however, was criticized by groups opposing the hydropower project. In a statement released after the lifting of the CDO, the Network Opposed to Ahunan Dam (NO to Ahunan Dam) said it was “disappointed” by the NHCP’s action, describing it as “ill-advised and based on an incomplete study of the dam’s impact on Pakil’s cultural heritage and historical significance.”

The group argued that the Commission relied primarily on the company’s own explanation that the project would not affect the San Pedro de Alcantara Parish Church.

“This is asking the guilty party to investigate themselves and find themselves acquitted of their crimes. This is unacceptable,” the statement read.

The network called on the NHCP to conduct an impartial and independent investigation into the ongoing effects of the Ahunan Dam project, adding that it is willing to cooperate in providing what it described as an objective assessment.

“They will find that there is indeed no shortage of reasons why the Ahunan Dam must be stopped,” the group said.

Danilo Francisco, of the Laguna Ecumenical Movement (LEM), speaking on behalf of the devotees of Our Lady of Turumba, also denounced the NHCP’s decision to lift the cease and desist order against the Ahunan Dam project. Francisco said the NHCP’s May 25 cease and desist order required API to submit a complete Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA), a study evaluating the project’s potential impacts on Pakil’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage. He questioned whether API had submitted the required HIA before the NHCP lifted the CDO, noting that the Commission’s June 25 letter focused on dust mitigation and environmental monitoring but no longer mentioned the HIA requirement contained in the original order.

“Bakit kaya sa sulat ng NHCP sa API, na may petsang 25 June, 2026, hindi na binabangit ang kailangang pagsasubmit ng HIA ng proponent? Sa sulat na ito, nakatuon lamang sa alikabok sa simbahan ang nabibigyan ng diin,” Francisco challenged.

He also alleged that the cease and desist order was never fully implemented, saying construction activities continued despite the NHCP’s directive. He questioned the purpose of issuing the CDO if its provisions were allegedly not enforced by the concerned agencies and the project developer.

“Ang totoo nyan ay wala naming Ili lift [sic] na CDO dahil hindi naman sinunod ang utos. Binalewala ng DOE, ng API, ng LGU ang kautusan ng NHCP,” Francisco added.

Pakil is widely recognized for its rich historical and cultural heritage. Aside from the San Pedro de Alcantara Parish Church, the town is known for centuries-old religious traditions and heritage sites, including the Turumba Festival, a long-running Marian pilgrimage and devotional celebration honoring Our Lady of Sorrows, which draws thousands of pilgrims annually. The municipality also preserves historic streetscapes, ancestral houses, religious artworks, and other heritage landmarks that form part of its cultural identity.