“Industry ministry brokers dialogue between Daewoo Engineering & Construction and Tumandok Indigenous Peoples over ‘Philippines dam human rights controversy’”, 30 January 2026

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said on Thursday (30 January) that it had decided to proceed with mediation following a preliminary assessment of a grievance filed against Daewoo Engineering & Construction, after convening the First Meeting of the National Contact Point (NCP) Committee on Responsible Business Conduct for 2026.

The case relates to the Jalaur River Dam and Irrigation Project currently being carried out by Daewoo Engineering & Construction in the Philippines.

The Tumandok Indigenous Peoples, along with People’s Action for the Jalaur River and the Business and Human Rights Network, filed a grievance with the Korean NCP against Daewoo Engineering & Construction in September last year.

The complainants allege that the Philippine government violated the human rights of Indigenous Peoples living in the project area, and that Daewoo Engineering & Construction, as the contractor, failed to conduct human rights due diligence to prevent or mitigate such impacts.

The project is being implemented with financial support from the South Korean government through the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) provided to the Philippine government.

The NCP noted, however, that the project is a government-led initiative promoted by the Philippine government.