Summary of Preliminary Study

1. Title of the Cooperation Project

Bridge Construction Project for Expanded Agrarian Reform Communities Development in the Republic of the Philippines

2. Categorization and Its Reason

2.1 Category “B”

2.2 Reason The project calls for the construction of two bridges in the Aurora and Quezon Provinces in the Philippines. It has been categorized as Category B, because there are concerns that the project may involve land expropriation or have an impact on water quality, ecosystems, and other environmental and social factors.

3. Outline of the Location

3.1 Location The Municipality of Maria Aurora, Aurora Province and the Municipality of General Nakar, Quezon Province, in the Philippines

3.2 Environmental and Social Conditions

3.2.1 Bazal Region The proposed site of the study is a rice-paddy zone situated in the plains where the Malupa River, Maria Aurora Creek, and Pacucao River merge. The proposed bridge, Bazal Bridge, is to cross Bazal River, a tributary of Malupa River, in a hilly area that is about 50m above sea level. For this reason, the proposed site of the bridge has many boulder stones that the river has carried downstream from the mountains, and displays a landscape and geological properties unique to alluvial fans. Temperatures and rainfall are both high, with an average temperature of 26.8°C and a yearly rainfall of 3339.1mm. The rainy season is supposedly from September to December, but there are heavy rainfalls from May to July as well, so there is no clear distinction between the rainy and dry seasons.

There is no bridge along the road to Bazal Barangay, so no vehicles can pass. This means great loss, because the quality of harvested agricultural products drop while they are kept in storage prior to marketing, and products spoil during their transport. It also means agricultural products are necessarily marketed at low prices, while agricultural production materials are purchased at comparatively high prices. Post-harvest loss is a serious problem to fruit and vegetable farmers. Migrant farmers to Bazal Barangay from near the Barangay also pose a threat to non-migrant farmers.

During the dry season, Bazal River is a stream, but during the rainy season, the water level rises and the entire Bazal area frequently suffers floods. This is because rainwater flows down the river from the nearby mountains and instantly spreads throughout the alluvial fan of the Bazal region, where the gradient of the land suddenly levels off. In this type of terrain, floods cannot be avoided during the rainy season. Wooden bridges are destroyed by the current, and traffic is closed down. Bazal Barangay becomes isolated in this way several times a year. To the residents of Bazal Barangay, the construction of Bazal Bridge is therefore vital, as it would allow them to cross the river even in times of floods. However, in planning the construction of Bazal Bridge, it is essential that the bridge beam is made higher than the highest water level.

3.2.2 Umiray Region The proposed site of the study is near the mouth of the Umiray River, in a brackish-water region where seawater and freshwater merge. Because of this location, the water level of the river at the proposed site of the bridge fluctuates between high tide and low tide. Although the site is near the mouth of a river, mountains that are more than 100m high tower over the river on both banks. There is an outcrop of dense and hard sandstone particularly on the left bank near the bridge site, with viscous soil deposits of the alluvium on top of it. The stratum is therefore prone to landslides, and traces of rockfall collapse can be observed in many places. Since the left and right banks display a similar terrain, the foundation sandstone is assumed to be widely distributed near the bridge site.

The right bank, on the other hand, forms a wide river terrace covered with silty soil carried downstream by the river, due to a large typhoon that struck the area at the end of 2004. The typhoon flooded Umiray River, destroyed and washed away homes, and scoured the right bank of the river, so that the width of the river has widened. Temperatures and rainfall in the region are both high, with an average temperature of 27.1°C and a yearly rainfall of 4150.1mm. The period between October and January is rainy season, and the period between February and September is dry season.

The flood that hit the Philippines in November 2004 is reported to have claimed 198 lives (18 confirmed dead, 180 missing), destroyed 235 houses, and brought severe damage to 2,261ha of farmland in the Umiray Agrarian Reform Community (ARC) and 4 areas of the neighboring Barangay. The irrigation facility that was near completion in the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project (ARISP) was also damaged, and urgently needs to be restored. Urgent measures are also necessary to implement the activities of ARISP-II that still remain, including the construction of a combination post-harvest processing and fire prevention facility, as well as the development of the remaining segment of a farm road. However, the lack of bridges is hindering the prompt implementation of post-disaster restoration activities, and is casting a dark shadow on the progress of the remaining activities. Even if the irrigation facility that is to be developed in ARISP-II begins operations, the transportation of harvested rice is expected to be difficult. There are also pineapple and vegetable farmers and fishermen in the Umiray ARC, who are facing a serious problem in marketing their products, because of the lack of a bridge.

As things stand, people need to rely on a bunker boat to cross to the other side of the river, because there is no bridge near the mouth of the Umiray River. The situation is imposing a large burden especially on the residents of General Nakar, on the other side of the river, as they face such problems as constantly getting on and off the boat, loading and unloading goods, and bearing with the inconvenience of having no boat service at nighttimes and needing to wait for a boat whenever they want to ride one. Moreover, during the rainy season, boat operations are frequently cancelled, due to increased water levels, and the part of Umiray Barangay in General Nakar faces a serious problem of becoming isolated.

4. Legal Framework of Environmental and Social Considerations

DAO03-30, 2003

5. Agency/Institution Responsible for Implementing the Project, EIA, etc.

5.1 Implementing Agency The Department of Agrarian Reform

5.2 EIA Authority Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

6. Items Requested by the Government of the Philippines

Construction of Bazal Bridge and Umiray Bridge, Construction of an Approach Road, and Bank Protection Works

7. Results of Scoping and Environmental and Social Considerations Studies, Analysis of Alternatives, and Mitigation and Monitoring Measures

7.1 Checklist for Scoping

7.1.1 Checklist for Scoping (Bazal Bridge)

Table 1 Checklist for Scoping (Bazal Bridge, Aurora Province) Project Name Bridge Construction Project for Expanded Agrarian Reform Communities Development in the Republic of the Philippines No Impact Rating Outline Social Environment * Impacts on “Gender” and “Children’s Rights” may be related to all Social Environment criteria. 1 Involuntary resettlement 2 Local economy, such as employment and livelihoods, etc. 3 Land use and utilization of local resources 4 Social institutions, such as social infrastructures and local decision-making institutions 5 Existing social infrastructures and services 6 The poor, indigenous and ethnic people 7 Misdistribution of benefit and damage 8 Cultural heritage 9 Local conflicts of interest 10 Water usage or water rights and communal rights 11 Sanitation 12 Hazards (risk) and infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS Natural Environment 13 Topography and geographical features 14 Soil erosion 15 Groundwater 16 Hydrological situation 17 Coastal situation 18 Flora, fauna and biodiversity 19 Meteorology 20 Landscape 21 Global Warming Pollution 22 Air pollution 23 Water pollution 24 Soil contamination 25 Waste 26 Noise and vibration 27 Ground subsidence 28 Offensive odor 29 Bottom sediment 30 Accidents A: Serious impact is expected, B: Some impact is expected, C: Extent of impact is unknown, No mark: No impact is expected. IEE/EIA is not necessary.

7.1.2 Checklist for Scoping (Umiray Bridge)

Table 2 Checklist for Scoping (Umiray Bridge) Project Name Bridge Construction Project for Expanded Agrarian Reform Communities Development in the Republic of the Philippines No Impact Rating Outline Social Environment * Impacts on “Gender” and “Children’s Rights” may be related to all Social Environment criteria. 1 Involuntary resettlement B Involuntary resettlement may be necessary, depending on the location where the bridge-end will rest. 2 Local economy, such as employment and livelihoods, etc. 3 Land use and utilization of local resources 4 Social institutions, such as social infrastructures and local decision-making institutions 5 Existing social infrastructures and C Greater interaction between both banks of the services river can be expected to stimulate economic activities, but the extent of the impact is unknown. 6 The poor, indigenous and ethnic people 7 Misdistribution of benefit and damage 8 Cultural heritage 9 Local conflict of interests 10 Water usage or water rights and communal rights 11 Sanitation C An increase in population can be expected to increase the amount of waste generation, but the extent of the impact is unknown. 12 Hazards (risk) and infectious B In the event of unexpectedly large flows of diseases such as HIV/AIDS water due to heavy rain or typhoon disasters, driftwoods may get caught by structures in the river (bridge piers). Natural Environment 13 Topography and geographical features 14 Soil erosion 15 Groundwater 16 Hydrological situation B During construction of bridge piers, changes to the river bed may change the river regime. 17 Coastal situation 18 Flora, fauna and biodiversity B The construction of bridge piers may interfere with fish migration. 19 Meteorology 20 Landscape C Inappropriate structures may disrupt the harmony of the river landscape. 21 Global warming Pollution 22 Air pollution B The increase in vehicles during construction works may affect the air environment along relevant roads, but the extent of the impact is unknown. 23 Water pollution B During construction works, wastewater may increase the turbidity of the river, but the extent of the impact is unknown. 24 Soil contamination 25 Waste C Construction debris will likely be generated, but the extent of the impact is unknown. 26 Noise and vibration B The increase in vehicles during construction works may produce noise and vibration issues. 27 Ground subsidence 28 Offensive odor 29 Bottom sediment 30 Accidents B An increase in traffic volume may lead to the occurrence of traffic accidents. A: Serious impact is expected, B: Some impact is expected, C: Extent of impact is unknown, No mark: No impact is expected. IEE/EIA is not necessary.

7.1.3 Alternative Plans for Umiray Bridge

Table 3 Alternative Plans for Umiray Bridge Alternatives Remarks No-construction plan Present conditions will remain the same. Construction of the bridge Construction will be necessary on the road on the left bank where the as requested bridge-end will rest. The construction work is expected to involve a partial clearing of the forest, to reinforce the road shoulder and to prevent landslides from above. Alternative plan A With respect to the road on the left bank where the bridge-end will (Construction of the bridge rest, forest clearing will not be necessary, if the existing road is downstream) considered first. However, the bridge needs to be longer than the site of the requested plan, since it would need to cross a wider section of the river downstream. Alternative plan B Construction will be necessary on the road on the left bank where the (Construction of the bridge bridge-end will rest. The construction work is expected to involve a upstream) partial clearing of the forest and changes to the terrain, to reinforce the road shoulder and to prevent landslides from above.

7.1.4 Mitigation and Monitoring Measures for Umiray Bridge

Table 4 Mitigation and Monitoring Measures for Umiray Bridge Likely impact Assessment Extent of negative impacts Prediction method Measures for mitigating negative impacts Involuntary B There are about 5 houses on Prediction based on Avoid involuntary resettlement both banks. However, results of interviews resettlement by involuntary resettlement is with local residents and selecting a route that not necessary, depending on door-to-door surveys would not require the route of the road where involuntary the bridge will rest. resettlement, along the According to provincial road where the bridge government authorities, even will rest. If involuntary if involuntary resettlement is resettlement is necessary, there would be no unavoidable, formulate problem obtaining the a relocation plan, and consensus of the local make sure the plan is residents, because their need implemented properly. for the bridge is strong. Hazards (risks) B The proposed site is subject Prediction based on a Design the bridge to heavy rainfalls, and is also past case example properly. The lower situated in the path of many (massive flow of part of the bridge needs typhoons. Driftwoods that driftwoods during a to be designed to are carried downstream by typhoon that hit the prevent the the river may block the river Philippines in 2005) accumulation of flow at the bridge. driftwoods. The upper part needs to be designed in consideration of the possibility of unexpected flood waters. Hydrological B During the construction of Qualitative analysis of Employ suitable situation bridge piers, the river regime the river regime during construction methods, may change, due to the construction based on and formulate reduced width of the river the current river regime construction plans that flow. would not obstruct the flow of the river. Flora, fauna B During the construction of Qualitative analysis of Employ suitable and bridge piers, the installation the habitat of fishes and construction methods, biodiversity of sheet piles and other other aquatic organisms and formulate construction materials may during construction construction plans that cause changes in water veins work, based on the would not obstruct the or narrow the width of the present state of their flow of the river. river flow. These changes habitat may affect the habitat of fishes and other aquatic organisms. Air pollution B During construction works, Qualitative analysis Regularly inspect construction vehicles will based on the expected construction vehicles, emit exhaust fumes. After increase in traffic and control the construction, the expected volume when emission of dust, etc. increase in traffic volume in automobiles take the Quezon Province will also place of bunker boats to cause an increase in exhaust transport people and fumes. goods, after construction of the bridge Water pollution During the construction of Qualitative analysis of Consider measures to structures inside the river, turbidity during minimize the water turbidity will occur. construction works, occurrence of turbidity. However, after completion based on the present of the bridge, water quality is degree of turbidity. expected to improve, because bunker boat operations will decrease, and the contamination of the water by fuels and oil leakages will also decrease. Noise and B During construction works, Qualitative analysis Stop construction vibration the operation of construction based on the expected works during the vehicles and machinery will increase in traffic nighttime. produce noise and vibration. volume when automobiles take the place of bunker boats to transport people and goods, after construction of the bridge Accidents B During construction works, Qualitative analysis During construction the risk of accidents will based on the expected works, take measures to increase, due to the operation increase in traffic prevent accidents, of construction vehicles and volume when including assigning machinery. After automobiles take the personnel for guiding construction, increased place of bunker boats to construction vehicles traffic volume will increase transport people and and notifying local the risk of traffic accidents. goods, after residents of construction of the construction plans. bridge After construction, establish rules for accident prevention (speed limits, etc.). A: Serious impact is expected, B: Some impact is expected, C: Extent of impact is unknown, No mark: No impact is expected. IEE/EIA is not necessary.