Executive Summary

The Government of the Philippines, with the technical and financial support from
the World Bank, prepared a Flood Management Master Plan for the Greater Metro
Manila Area. The Master Plan was prepared to improve the overall flood
management conditions in Metro Manila. One of the key elements of this Master
Plan is the Metro Manila Flood Management Project (MMFMP)(the Project), which
is focused on the amelioration of urban drainage. The development objective of this
Project has four main components: (1) Modernization of drainage areas, (2)
Minimizing solid waste in waterways, (3) Participatory house and resettlement, and
(4) Project management and coordination.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Metro Manila
Development Authority (MMDA) will implement the Project, together with local
Government Units (LGUs), key shelter agencies, and project-affected communities.
For the first year of the Project, the above-mentioned agencies have identified 5 out
of 139 drainage areas for modernization. These are drainage areas served by: (i)
Vitas Pumping Station; (ii) Balut Pumping Station; (iii) Paco Pumping Station; (iv)
Tripa de Gallina Pumping Station; and (v) Labasan Pumping Station. Vitas, Balut, and
Paco are located within the City of Manila, Tripa de Gallina is located in Pasay City,
and Labasan Pumping Station is located in Taguig City.

Objectives and Scope of ESIA

In pursuant to the Bank Safeguard Policies and Government of the Philippines EA

legislation, an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) is required for
the Project financing. Specifically, the ESIA aims to: (i) assess the current
environmental and social conditions; (ii) identify key environmental and social
issues; (iii) assess the magnitude of impacts; (iv) develop mitigation measures
through an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) and Environmental
Codes of Practice (ECOP) that address the potential impacts and risks of the sub-
projects; and (v) determine the environmental monitoring and reporting
requirements, emergency response procedures, institutional or organization
arrangements, and capacity development measures to ensure the implementation of
the ESMP.

Methodology

In the conduct of the ESIA, methodologies have been implemented such as: (i)
review of project-related documents and previous studies; (ii) site visits to assess
the conditions inside the pumping stations and its immediate surroundings; (iii)
consultation and discussion with various government agencies, stakeholders, and
peoples organizations d to present the proposed flood control project, understand
the opportunities and environmental and social constraints encountered, and solicit
comments to further improve the design and implementation of the proposed
project; (iv) identification of environmental and social impacts while considering
different social dimensions such as age, gender, livelihood, etc.; (v) recommend the
application of Environmental Codes of Practice (ECOP) for the construction and
operation phases of five pumping stations; (vi) develop an environmental and social
management plan for each pumping station.

Induced and Cumulative Impacts

Induced Impacts. Flood mitigation services and infrastructures primarily reduce the
incidence and impact of flooding, moreover may result land use development, land
values and development of business and economic opportunities in the area.

Cumulative Impacts. Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) is part of ESIA which is

usually done during project implementation (PY1), as it considers the impacts of all
cumulative improvements identified and attached in ESMF based on a defined
framework. It also assess the impacts of key components and proposed
management measures and collaborative solutions in minimizing cumulative
negative impacts.

Assessments for PY1 Pumping Stations and Waste Disposal Sites

After a due diligence assessment done for PY1, DPWH considers two waste disposal
sites namely Navotas Sanitary Landfill, and Montalban Solid Waste Disposal Facility,
wherein both are owned and operated by private corporations and has the capacity
to cater the needed waste disposal services. Both facilities were accredited ECC
compliant and other environmental permits. Though there are other possible sites
for disposal of dredged materials, it was not considered by DPWH as they may serve
as alternative sites as deemed necessary for future use.

Many ISFs are occupying land along and over easements for drains and associated
waterways. Initial ISF resettled and continue to be resettled where beneficiaries of
Oplan Likas since 2011 2016. But due to overlapping technical footprints and
project footprints as required by World Bank for funding, MMDA prepares 3 site
specific social safeguard instruments for PY1 areas, namely RAP for Vitas, DDR for
Paco, and combined DDR for Balut, Tripa de Gallina, and Labasan areas.

Possible Environmental Instruments

The proposed interventions in drainage areas will create various impacts which will
undergo screening whether EA will require a full ESIA, ESMP, or ECOP based on
ESMF and PRF.
SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND SOCIAL IMPACTS
Benefits of the Project
Primarily, the benefit of the Project is flood reduction. The people living in the flood-
prone areas are the main beneficiaries of this Project. The pumping stations are
really essential in times of high tide when the Manila Bay and Laguna de Bay water
levels or receiving water levels are higher than the water level of the waterways
served by the said stations.
Subsequently, with the reduced occurrence of flooding in the sub-project areas,
there is an expected improvement in the quality of life, health, and sanitation of the
affected persons. In addition, ease of transport during rainy days, continuation of
economic activities, increase in the value of land and properties, and poverty
reduction is also to be expected. Other project benefits include the reduction of
damage to properties and infrastructure, of income loss for livelihood and business,
and of loss of lives. During the rainy season or typhoons, the beneficiaries will be
able to continue with their daily routine with minimal disruption. Diseases arising
from exposure to flood water will also be minimized. The need to evacuate to safe
areas during intense rain, typhoon or flooding will be lesser.
Impacts during Construction Works
The impacts during actual construction of the Project include construction wastes,
solid wastes, oily wastes, fugitive dust, noise, occupational safety, community health
and safety, and labor. The different waste products generated during construction
will surely have a negative effect to the environment once undisposed properly.
Dust and noise will have a negative effect on the workers as well as to the nearby
communities. Occupational hazards in the site may also have negative impact to the
workers if an accident occurs.

SPECIFIC SOCIAL IMPACTS

The presence of informal settler families (ISFs) in the area within the technical
footprint of the waterways is one of the major contributory factors of flooding in
Metro Manila. Structures within the waterways and waste from the ISFs obstruct the
flow of water and reduce the efficiency of pumping stations. Part of the project is the
relocation of ISFs from the area to livable resettlement areas where they will be
provided with livelihood programs. Their children will also be able to go to school in
these relocation sites. This will be beneficial for them because they will be moved
out of danger and they will be provided with opportunities for development.
However, some social impacts arising from the relocation of ISFs were noted during
the Social Impact Assessment. Prior to project identification, majority of the ISFs
relocated from the areas within the technical footprint of the waterways were
reported to have reduced income and increased expenditure due to higher cost of
basic needs and facilities. Action plans were developed to address these issues. The
focus of these action plans is community development through infrastructure,
livelihood programs, and local economic development. As to the Project Affected
Persons (PAPs) in communities near the roads leading to the pumping stations,
hazards and accidents may affect their safety. These identified risks shall be
minimized through traffic management and campaigns for awareness.
IMPACTS OF DREDGING ACTIVITIES
The dredging activities will result to resuspension of sediments that could cause a
short-term negative effect on the water quality and on the ecosystem in the rivers.
The dredged materials contain contaminants such as heavy metals like Chromium,
Copper, Zinc, Lead and Nickel, which was initially expected to contaminate the other
pumping station channels but was later found out not to be hazardous using
Toxicity Characteristics Leaching Procedure (TCLP). The clearing operations and as
well as the Operation and Maintenance of the Project will include removal of water
hyacinths in some selected areas near the Laguna Lake and Pasig River, which will
destroy the habitats of fish. The health of the nearby community during the
dredging activities is at risk because of the noise, and foul odor due to the
decomposing organic materials in the river.

RECOMMENDATION
Sustainability
Strict enforcement of applicable environmental codes, laws, policies and regulations
during project implementation

Further studies on the possible effects of climate change and proposal for future
projects with similar objectives to that of the Project