Residents opposing the construction of Ahunan Dam in Pakil, Laguna, through their legal counsel, has appealed to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to reverse its decision lifting the cease-and-desist order (CDO) against Ahunan Power Inc., arguing that the Commission failed to conduct the stakeholder hearing required under the National Cultural Heritage Act.

In a letter, dated July 8, 2026, addressed to NHCP Chairman Regalado Trota Jose Jr., environmental lawyer Tony La Viña, managing partner of La Viña, Zarate and Associates, urged the Commission to restore the CDO until affected residents and other stakeholders are given an opportunity to participate in a formal hearing.

The appeal follows the NHCP’s July 1, 2026 letter lifting the CDO after acknowledging Ahunan Power Inc.’s commitment to implement mitigation measures intended to prevent adverse effects on the historic San Pedro de Alcantara Parish Church in Pakil.

The NHCP issued a cease-and-desist order on May 25, 2026 against activities related to the Ahunan Pumped-Storage Hydropower Project over concerns involving the nearby San Pedro de Alcantara Parish Church, an important cultural property. The Commission later lifted the order after receiving assurances and supporting documents from Ahunan Power Inc. regarding mitigation measures to protect the historic church.

The residents, however, argued that Section 25 of Republic Act No. 10066, or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009, requires that the lifting of a cease-and-desist order be preceded by “due notice and hearing involving the interested parties and stakeholders.”

“The suspension of the activities shall be lifted only upon the written authority of the appropriate cultural agency after due notice and hearing involving the interested parties and stakeholders,” the appeal quoted from the law.

According to the residents, they qualify as stakeholders because they are “the very people who practice and maintain the cultures and traditions associated with the San Pedro de Alcantara Parish Church and whose lives are intrinsically intertwined with it.”

The appeal emphasized that the church represents more than a historic structure for the people of Pakil.

“To our Clients, the San Pedro de Alcantara Parish Church is not merely some historical landmark. It serves as a center of religious, cultural, and communal practices that form part of the identity of the people of Pakil, Laguna,” the letter stated.

It also cited the town’s 355-year-old “Ahunan sa Ping-as” tradition as a living cultural practice that could be affected by the project’s construction activities.

“The disturbance caused by Ahunan’s activities may therefore affect not only the physical integrity of the church but also the environment and conditions necessary for the continued practice of our Clients’ traditions. In short, centuries old practices may be unceremoniously eradicated by Ahunan,” the appeal said.

The residents further claimed that neither they nor other groups opposing the Ahunan Pumped-Storage Hydropower Project were notified or invited to participate in any proceedings regarding the lifting of the CDO.

“As the people who stand to lose a cherished monument of their culture and history, our Clients deserve at the very least to be heard on these matters,” the letter read.

The appeal argued that the absence of stakeholder participation deprived affected residents of the opportunity to examine the mitigation measures proposed by Ahunan Power Inc. and comment on whether they are sufficient to protect the centuries-old church and its surrounding cultural landscape.

Apart from asking the NHCP to reverse its decision lifting the CDO, the residents are also asking the agency to provide copies of the alleged developer’s assurance letter and supporting documents, allow them to submit comments on those documents, and schedule the hearing they contend is required under Republic Act No. 10066.

“We remain hopeful that, through a transparent and inclusive process, the Commission and all concerned parties may work together to ensure that due process is upheld on the matter of the Cease-and-Desist Order, and that the objective of preserving the historical, cultural, and religious heritage of Pakil, Laguna, is ultimately achieved,” the appeal concluded.

As of writing, the NHCP has not publicly responded to the residents’ latest appeal.