Summary of Preliminary Study

Transcription

1 Summary of Preliminary Study 1. Title of the Cooperation Project ridge Construction Project for Expanded Agrarian Reform Communities Development in the Republic of the Philippines 2. Categorization and Its Reason 2.1 Category 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, 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 azal 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, azal ridge, is to cross azal 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 mm. 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.

2 There is no bridge along the road to azal arangay, 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 azal arangay from near the arangay also pose a threat to non-migrant farmers. During the dry season, azal River is a stream, but during the rainy season, the water level rises and the entire azal 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 azal 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. azal arangay becomes isolated in this way several times a year. To the residents of azal arangay, the construction of azal ridge is therefore vital, as it would allow them to cross the river even in times of floods. However, in planning the construction of azal ridge, it is essential that the bridge beam is made higher than the highest water level 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. ecause 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 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 mm. The period between October and January is rainy season, and the period between February and September is

3 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 arangay. 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 arangay in General Nakar faces a serious problem of becoming isolated. 4. Legal Framework of Environmental and Social Considerations DAO03-30, Agency/Institution Responsible for Implementing the Project, EIA, etc. 5.1 Implementing Agency The Department of Agrarian Reform 5.2 EIA Authority

4 Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 6. Items Requested by the Government of the Philippines Construction of azal ridge and Umiray ridge, Construction of an Approach Road, and ank 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 Checklist for Scoping (azal ridge) Table 1 Checklist for Scoping (azal ridge, Aurora Province) Project Name ridge 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

5 15 Groundwater 16 Hydrological situation 17 Coastal situation 18 Flora, fauna and biodiversity 19 Meteorology 20 Landscape 21 Global Warming 22 Air pollution 23 Water pollution 24 Soil contamination 25 Waste 26 Noise and vibration 27 Ground subsidence 28 Offensive odor 29 ottom sediment 30 Accidents Pollution A: Serious impact is expected, : Some impact is expected, C: Extent of impact is unknown, No mark: No impact is expected. IEE/EIA is not necessary Checklist for Scoping (Umiray ridge) Table 2 Checklist for Scoping (Umiray ridge) Project Name ridge 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 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 services 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 C Greater interaction between both banks of the river can be expected to stimulate economic activities, but the extent of the impact is unknown.

6 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 diseases such as HIV/AIDS In the event of unexpectedly large flows of 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 During construction of bridge piers, changes to the river bed may change the river regime. 17 Coastal situation 18 Flora, fauna and biodiversity 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 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 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 The increase in vehicles during construction works may produce noise and vibration issues. 27 Ground subsidence 28 Offensive odor 29 ottom sediment 30 Accidents An increase in traffic volume may lead to the occurrence of traffic accidents. A: Serious impact is expected, : Some impact is expected, C: Extent of impact is unknown, No mark: No impact is expected. IEE/EIA is not necessary Alternative Plans for Umiray ridge Table 3 Alternative Plans for Umiray ridge Alternatives Remarks No-construction plan Present conditions will remain the same.

7 Construction of the bridge as requested Alternative plan A (Construction of the bridge downstream) Alternative plan (Construction of the bridge upstream) Construction will be necessary on the road on the left bank where the 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. With respect to the road on the left bank where the bridge-end will rest, forest clearing will not be necessary, if the existing road is 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. Construction will be necessary on the road on the left bank where the bridge-end will rest. The construction work is expected to involve a partial clearing of the forest and changes to the terrain, to reinforce the road shoulder and to prevent landslides from above Mitigation and Monitoring Measures for Umiray ridge Table 4 Mitigation and Monitoring Measures for Umiray ridge Likely impact Assessment Extent of negative impacts Prediction method Measures for mitigating negative impacts Involuntary resettlement There are about 5 houses on both banks. However, involuntary resettlement is not necessary, depending on the route of the road where the bridge will rest. According to provincial government authorities, even if involuntary resettlement is necessary, there would be no problem obtaining the consensus of the local residents, because their need for the bridge is strong. Hazards (risks) The proposed site is subject to heavy rainfalls, and is also situated in the path of many typhoons. Driftwoods that are carried downstream by the river may block the river flow at the bridge. Hydrological situation During the construction of bridge piers, the river regime may change, due to the reduced width of the river Prediction based on results of interviews with local residents and door-to-door surveys Prediction based on a past case example (massive flow of driftwoods during a typhoon that hit the Philippines in 2005) Qualitative analysis of the river regime during construction based on the current river regime Avoid involuntary resettlement by selecting a route that would not require involuntary resettlement, along the road where the bridge will rest. If involuntary resettlement is unavoidable, formulate a relocation plan, and make sure the plan is implemented properly. Design the bridge properly. The lower part of the bridge needs to be designed to prevent the accumulation of driftwoods. The upper part needs to be designed in consideration of the possibility of unexpected flood waters. Employ suitable construction methods, and formulate construction plans that

8 Flora, fauna and biodiversity flow. During the construction of bridge piers, the installation of sheet piles and other construction materials may cause changes in water veins or narrow the width of the river flow. These changes may affect the habitat of fishes and other aquatic organisms. Air pollution During construction works, construction vehicles will emit exhaust fumes. After construction, the expected increase in traffic volume in Quezon Province will also cause an increase in exhaust fumes. Water pollution Noise and vibration During the construction of structures inside the river, water turbidity will occur. However, after completion of the bridge, water quality is expected to improve, because bunker boat operations will decrease, and the contamination of the water by fuels and oil leakages will also decrease. During construction works, the operation of construction vehicles and machinery will produce noise and vibration. Accidents During construction works, the risk of accidents will increase, due to the operation of construction vehicles and machinery. After construction, increased traffic volume will increase the risk of traffic accidents. Qualitative analysis of the habitat of fishes and other aquatic organisms during construction work, based on the present state of their habitat Qualitative analysis based on the expected increase in traffic volume when automobiles take the place of bunker boats to transport people and goods, after construction of the bridge Qualitative analysis of turbidity during construction works, based on the present degree of turbidity. Qualitative analysis based on the expected increase in traffic volume when automobiles take the place of bunker boats to transport people and goods, after construction of the bridge Qualitative analysis based on the expected increase in traffic volume when automobiles take the place of bunker boats to transport people and goods, after construction of the bridge would not obstruct the flow of the river. Employ suitable construction methods, and formulate construction plans that would not obstruct the flow of the river. Regularly inspect construction vehicles, and control the emission of dust, etc. Consider measures to minimize the occurrence of turbidity. Stop construction works during the nighttime. A: Serious impact is expected, : Some impact is expected, C: Extent of impact is unknown, No mark: No impact is expected. IEE/EIA is not necessary. During construction works, take measures to prevent accidents, including assigning personnel for guiding construction vehicles and notifying local residents of construction plans. After construction, establish rules for accident prevention (speed limits, etc.).