Environmental Impact Assessment

Project Number: 52083-001 November 2018 Draft

Proposed Multitranche Financing Facility Republic of the : -Clark Railway Project

Volume 5 Assessment of the Effects of the MCRP to Migratory Birds

Prepared by the Department of Transportation for the Asian Development Bank. This environmental impact assessment is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB's Board of Directors, Management, or staff, and may be preliminary in nature. Your attention is directed to the “terms of use” section on ADB’s website.

In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area. Environmental Impact Statement for The Malolos Clark Railway Project

VOLUME IV: SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT - ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTS OF THE MCRP TO MIGRATORY BIRDS

(Final Report)

August 2018

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Environmental Impact Statement Report (EISR) PNR CLARK PHASE 2 (MALOLOS-CLARK RAILWAY) PROJECT

ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTS OF THE MCRP TO MIGRATORY BIRDS DOCUMENTED IN AREAS SURVEYED IN BAY IBA/KBA

1. As seen from the map presented in Figure 1, the MCRP will pass through portion of the Manila Bay IBA/KBA in (Malolos northward) and (parts of , and Sto. Tomas).

Figure 1. Map of IBA/KDAs within the MCRP Alignment

2. As can be seen from the map below (Fig. 2), the Bulacan part of the IBA/KBA is within the City of Malolos up to the Municipality of , a highly urbanized area with patches of wetlands and intermittent rice fields on the outskirts.

3. The survey was conducted in Sto. Tomas and Minalin areas because of the presence of wetlands which are far from human habituations and are owned privately and guarded by their owners where disturbance and pollution from human activities are minimal. The sites are beneficial to wildlife particularly birds which feed on fish, insects and other food materials present in the area. There are no forests (secondary or tree farms) along the proposed MCRP construction site.

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Figure 2. Satellite Map of MCRP alignment

4. Table 1 presents the fauna sampling stations which are presented in the map (Fig. 3). It can be seen from the map that only a small portion of the Manila Bay IBA/KBA is in Pampanga. However, Transects 4 (Brgy. San Matias, Sto.Tomas) and 5 (Brgy. Lourdes, Minalin) are within the Manila Bay IBA/KBA (Table 1).

Table 1. MCRP Sampling Stations Sampling Station Start End Habitat Type Transect 1 – N120.5263 N120.5281 Brushland, wetland (stream and pond), plains, Cultivated Brgy. Aranguren E15.34738 E15.33014 trees and plants (i.e. Bamboo, Cocos nucifera), Undergrowth vegetation (Sedges, weeds, and grass) Transect 2 – N120.5278 N120.5281 Brushland, Undergrowth vegetation (Sedges weeds, and Brgy. Cut-Cut E15.32036 E15.33014 grass), Sugar cane plantation, Fragmented Bamboo forest near stream crossing the Sitio Kalangitan Transect 3 – N120. 5314 N120.5292 Bamboo, sugarcane plantation, Undergrowth vegetation, Brgy. San Roque E15.27138 E15.28928 Cultivated trees (i.e. Musa sp., Cocos nucifera Transect 4 – N120.70959 N120.71887 Marsh, privately owned fishponds Bgry. San Matias E15.0035 E14.9913 Transect 5 – N120.72651 N120.72184 Marsh, privately owned fishponds Brgy. Lourdes E14.9601 E14.9690

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Environmental Impact Statement Report (EISR) PNR CLARK PHASE 2 (MALOLOS-CLARK RAILWAY) PROJECT

Figure 3. Terrestrial Ecology Map for MCRP

5. Table 2 shows that Barangays Lourdes in Minalin and San Matias in Sto. Tomas are direct impact areas. The survey sites in these areas are inside the privately-owned fishponds which are very near the project site.

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Environmental Impact Statement Report (EISR) PNR CLARK PHASE 2 (MALOLOS-CLARK RAILWAY) PROJECT

Table 2. Localities which will be directly and indirectly impacted by the MCRP LGU Host/Direct Impact Barangays Indirect Impact Barangays Malolos Bulihan and Longos Anilao, Atlag, Babatnin, Bagna, Bagong Bayan, Balayong, Balite, Bangkal, Barihan, Bungahan, Dakila, Guinhawa, Caingin, Calero, Caliligawan, Canalate, Caniogan, Catmon, Ligas, Liyang, Look 1st, Look 2nd, Lugam, Mabolo, Mambog, Masile, Matimbo, Mojon, , Niugan, Pamarawan, Panasahan, Pinagbakahan, San Agustin, San Gabriel, San Juan, San Pablo, San Vicente (Pob.), Santiago, Santisima Trinidad, Santo Cristo, Santo Niño (Pob.), Santo Rosario (Pob.), Santol, Sumapang Bata, Sumapang Matanda, Taal, Tikay, Cofradia. Calumpit Pio Cruzcoza, San Marcos, Balite, Buguion, Bulusan, Calizon, Caniogan, Corazon, Frances, Calumpang, Iba Este, Palimbang, Gugo, Longos, Meysulao, Meyto, Panducot, Poblacion, Pungo, San Iba O’Este, Balungao, and Gatbuca Jose, San Miguel, Santa Lucia, Santo Niño, Sapang Bayan, and Sucol. Apalit Capalangan, Sulipan, and San Balucuc, Calantipe, Cansinala, Colgante, Paligui, Sampaloc, San Vicente Juan, Sucad, and Tabuyuc. Minalin Lourdes, San Isidro, Sta. Maria and Bulac, Dawe, Maniango, San Francisco de Asisi, San Nicolas San Pedro (Poblacion), Santa Rita, Santo Domingo, Santo Rosario and Saplad. Sto. Tomas Poblacion, San Matias, Sapa (Sto. San Bartolome, San Vicente, and Sto.Rosario Nino), and Moras dela Paz San Fernando Baliti, Dolores, Lourdes, Maimpis, Alasas, Bulaon, Dela Paz Norte, Dela Paz Sur, Del Carmen, Del Malpitic, Pulung Bulu, Quebiawan, Pilar, Del Rosario, Juliana, Lara, Magliman, Malino, Pandaras, Santo San Agustin, San Nicolas, San Rosario (Pob.), Saguin, San Felipe, San Isidro, San Jose, San Juan, Pedro Cutud, Sta. Lucia, Santa Teresita, and Telabastagan Sto. Niño, Sindalan, Calutcut and Panipuan Angeles Agapito del Rosario, Balibago, Anunas, Capaya, Cuayan, Cutcut, Cutud, Lourdes North West, Claro M. Recto, Pulungbulu, Margot, Mining, Pampang, Pandan, Pulung Maragul, Pulung Lourdes Sur, Lourdes Sur East, Cacutud, Salapungan, San Jose, San Nicolas, Santa Trinidad, Santo Malabañas, Sta. Teresita, Santo Domingo, Santo Rosario (Pob.), Sapalibutad, Sapangbato, Virgen Cristo, Tabun Delos Remedios, Amsic, and Ninoy Aquino (Marisol). San Joaquin, , Dolores, Atlu Bola, Bical, Bundagul, Cacutud, Camachiles, Dapdap, Dau, Tabun, Duquit, Mabiga, Mamatitang, Mangalit, Mawaque, Paralayunan, San Dau, and Poblacion Francisco, Santa Ines, Santa Maria, Santo Rosario, Sapang Balen, Sapang Biabas, Calumpang, Village, and Marcos Village Bamban Santo Niño and San Vicente Anupul, Banaba, Bangcu, Culubasa, Dela Cruz, La Paz, Lourdes, Malonzo, Virgen Delos Remedios, San Nicolas, San Pedro, San Rafael, and San Roque Capas Aranguren, Cristo Rey, Cutcut 2nd, Bueno, Cubcuc (Pob), Cutcut 1st, Dolores, Estrada, Lawy, Manga, and Maruglu Manlapig, O’Donnell, Santa Lucia, Santa Rita, Santa Domingo 1st, Santa Domingo 2nd, Santa Rosario, Talaga, and Santa Juliana.

6. Most of the species of terrestrial vertebrates documented during the dry season survey and wet season monitoring in Transects 4 and 5 are avifauna.

7. The dry season and the subsequent wet season monitoring documented a total of 54 species of birds. Out of this, 44 were recorded during the dry season and 31 during the wet season. The list of avifaunal species is presented in Table 3. All of the species of birds observed in the areas where the dry season survey was conducted are of Least Concern according to the IUCN.

Table 3. List of species of birds documented from Transects 4 and 5 (within the Manila Bay IBA/KBA)

Species Common Name Endemicity Conservation Status Amaurornis cinerea White-browed Crake Migratory Least Concern Amaurornis phoenicurus White-breasted Waterhen Native/Resident Least Concern Anthus richardi Richard's Pipit Resident Least Concern Ardea alba Great White Egret Migratory Least Concern Ardea cinerea Grey Heron Migratory Least Concern Ardea intermedia Intermediate Egret Resident Least Concern

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Environmental Impact Statement Report (EISR) PNR CLARK PHASE 2 (MALOLOS-CLARK RAILWAY) PROJECT

Ardea purpurea Purple Heron Native/Resident Least Concern Bubulcus coromandus Cattle Egret Resident-Migrant Least Concern Cacomantis sepulcralis Brush cuckoo Native/Resident Least Concern Calidris subminuta Long-toed Stint Migratory Least Concern Chlidonias hybrida Whiskered Tern Migratory Least Concern Cisticola exilis Bright-capped Cisticola Native/Resident Least Concern Cisticola juncidis Zitting Cisticola Native/Resident Least Concern Collocalia esculenta Glossy Swiftlet Native/Resident Least Concern Collocalia troglodytes Pygmy swiftlet Endemic Least Concern Copsychus saularis Oriental Magpie Robin Resident Least Concern Dendrocygna arcuata Wandering Whistling Duck Migratory Least Concern Dupetor flavicollis Black Bittern Native/Resident Least Concern Egretta garzetta Little Egret Resident-Migrant Least Concern Egretta sacra Eastern Reef-Egret Native/Resident Least Concern Gallinula chloropus Common Moorhen Resident-Migrant Least Concern Gallirallus striatus Slaty Breasted Rail Resident Least Concern Gallirallus torquatus Barred rail Native/Resident Least Concern Geopelia striata Zebra Dove Native/Resident Least Concern Himantopus himantopus Black-winged Stilt Migratory Least Concern Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow Resident-Migrant Least Concern Hirundo tahitica Pacific Swallow Resident-Migrant Least Concern Hydrophasianus chirurgus Pheasant-tailed Jacana Migratory Least Concern Hypotaenidia philippensis Buff banded rail Resident Least Concern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus Cinnamon Bittern Migratory Least Concern Ixobrychus flavicollis Black Bittern Migratory Least Concern Ixobrychus sinensis Yellow Bittern Migratory Least Concern Lanius cristatus Brown Shrike Resident Least Concern Lanius schach Long-tailed Shrike Resident Least Concern Lonchura atricapilla Chestnut Munia Resident Least Concern Lonchura punctulata Scaly-breasted munia Resident Least Concern Megalurus palustris Striated Grassbird Resident Least Concern Megalurus timoriensis Tawny Grassbird Resident Least Concern Merops philippinus Blue-tailed Bee-eater Resident Least Concern Merops viridis Blue-tailed Bee-eater Resident Least Concern Nycticorax caledonicus Rufous Night Heron Migratory Least Concern Nycticorax nycticorax Black-crowned Night Heron Migratory Least Concern Passer montanus Eurasian Tree Sparrow Resident Least Concern Porphyrio porphyrio Purple Swamphen Migratory Least Concern Porzana cinerea White-browed Crake Native/Resident Least Concern Pycnonotus goiavier Yellow-vented Bulbul Resident Least Concern Rallina eurizonoides Slaty-legged Crake Native/Resident Least Concern Rhipidura nigritorquis Philippine Pied Fantail Endemic Least Concern Saxicola caprata Pied Bushchat Resident Least Concern Sterna hirundo Common Tern Migratory Least Concern Sternula albifrons Little Tern Migratory Least Concern Streptopelia tranquebarica Red Turtle Dove Resident Least Concern Tachybaptus ruficollis Little Grebe Resident Least Concern Tringa nebularia Common Greenshank Migratory Least Concern

8. As shown in Figure 3, the percentage of species documented during the dry season survey and wet season monitoring, with the corresponding distribution. It shows that 33% of species are residents followed by migrants at 32%. Twenty-two percent are native/resident while 9% are resident-migrants and only 2% are endemic.

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Environmental Impact Statement Report (EISR) PNR CLARK PHASE 2 (MALOLOS-CLARK RAILWAY) PROJECT

4% 9% 32% Endemic 33% Migratory Native/Resident Resident 22% Resident-Migrant

Figure 3. Distribution of species of birds documented from Transects 4 and 5

Impacts of the MCRP to Birds in the Manila Bay IBA/KBA

a. It can be observed that only a small portion of the project site is within the Manila Bay IBA/KBA. b. A portion of the IBA/KBA in Malolos to Calumpit is heavily urbanized with patches and intermittent rice fields. Some migratory birds (if there are), may occupy these rice fields but are likely to be a minority considering that these areas are heavily disturbed and polluted. c. Migratory birds from may not be affected because it is surmised that food and habitat are sufficient in that area and they may not fly to the project site to forage and roost. Besides, migratory birds have been observed to have fidelity to a roosting or feeding site. d. As a behavior, migratory birds often fly to wetlands where food is plentiful and roosts are available rather than to urbanized and built up areas. They are not observed to fly to areas where there is high pollution and disturbance from anthropogenic activities. e. The birds in the Sto. Tomas (San Matias) and Minalin (Lourdes) sites will surely be affected specially if the waters in the fishponds will be drained to give way to construction. However, if ponds in the side of the project site will not be disturbed, some birds especially those which are native/residents and/or residents will not leave or leave for a time, but may eventually come back. f. Most of the avifaunal species observed during monitoring are observed to be already acclimatized to anthropogenic activities such as fishpond operations, construction of buildings, disturbance near residential areas, etc. If these species will be displaced by the activities of the MCRP, it is surmised that in time, they will come back to their old haunts and habitats near the project site. g. It is recommended that to verify whether migratory birds from the Candaba Swamp or also fly to the Manila IBA/KBA, a long-term study/research shall be conducted (radiotelemetry/GPS tracking) by the concerned agencies.

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Environmental Impact Statement Report (EISR) PNR CLARK PHASE 2 (MALOLOS-CLARK RAILWAY) PROJECT

CONCLUSION

9. In conclusion, the effect of the MCRP to terrestrial vertebrate wildlife will be minimal at the Manila Bay IBA/KBA because of the following reasons:

a. The site of the project will only pass through a portion of the Manila Bay IBA/KBA where in the Bulacan side are areas which are urbanized, highly populated and mostly disturbed, and in Pampanga, most of the sites go through privately owned fishponds.

b. Although the Pampanga sites harbor a number of migratory birds, these are mostly migrant/residents and are of Least Concern (IUCN). Two species of birds in the area are Endemic to the Philippines but are common and are also of Least Concern.

Submitted by:

JUDELINE DIMALIBOT Assistant Professor 2 Animal Biology Division Institute of Biological Sciences, CAS, UPLB Consultant for PNR Clark Phase 2 (Malolos-Clark Railway) Project

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