Philippines - Mindanao Rural Development Project (APL) : environmental assessment (Vol. 1 of 3)

E-274 VOL. 1 INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION PROPOSED RURAL ROADS FOR COTABATO AND SULTAN KUDARAT I. Introduction 1. This is a component of APL-1 that is one of four Adaptable Program Loans (APL) of the Mindanao Rural Development Program. An Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) was conducted to assess whether there are environmental issues that need to be resolved or if there are significant environmental impacts that need to be mitigated. The proposed roads are located in several municipalities in Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat. 2. In preparing the IEE, sites investigation and discussions with local officials and staff of MRDP were conducted on December 9 to 14, 1998. 1I. Description of the Project 3. Included are 30 rural road rehabilitation projects, 16 of which are located in Cotabato and 14 in Sultan Kudarat with total lengths of 18 kilometers and 69 kilometers respectively. In addition there will be 7 bridges constructed in Cotabato and seven in Sultan Kudarat with total lengths of 158 lineal meters and 122 lineal meters respectively. 4. The topography of the areas traversed by the different rural roads to be rehabilitated varies. Some are located in very flat areas and some are in hilly and mountainous areas. 5. The vegetation along the roads ranges from crops such as rice and corn to fruit trees, rubber trees, etc. 6. The geometric and design specifications to be followed are: 4.00 meters wide graveled carriage-way with 1.00 shoulder width and drainage ditches on both sides; 15 centimeters base course of item 201 on top of 10 centimeters sub-base course of item 200. The average excavation and embankment is estimated at 0.3 meter. IEE for Roads, Page I of 4  7. Most of the roads to be rehabilitated are in very poor conditions. Many of them have very deep mud-holes and gullies. 8. The construction activities will include the following: a. Cut and fill operations. b. Excavation of ditches. c. Laying of cross drains. d. Construction of box culverts where necessarv. e. Construction of bridges. f. Transporting and laying the sub-base and base course. -II. Screening of Possible Environmental Impact and Mitigating Measures 9. The environmental impacts of the project may be grouped into three namely impact as a result of the design adopted; impact resulting from the construction activities; and impact resulting from the road usage. 10. Impacts resulting from the design aspects include those arising due to the road alignment and those due to the road elevation. The road alignment will determine whether there will be encroachment into precious ecology, into historical and cultural values, into forests, into agricultural lands, or into residential areas. Since the project is rehabilitation of existing rural roads, if there is any encroachment, this has already been done before. Based on the actual visits and from discussions with local officials, the roads do not encroach on any of the above. For those roads that will require some expansion in width, it is very unlikely that there will be any encroachment since the roads have already sufficient right of way and which are already cleared. Thus the impact of the project arising from the road alignments is deemed insignificant. 11. The impact arising from the road elevation would be the possibility of flooding as a result of changes in runoff flow regimes. Where the roads crosses creeks and other waterways, flooding will occur if the necessary drainage facilities are not put in place. The present state of the roads indicates that this will be a significant impact. The design criteria adopted took this into consideration such that cross-drains; box culverts, bridges and side ditches will be constructed. If the drainage systems will be sized properly, the impact will be reduced to acceptable levels. 12. The impacts arising from the construction activities will include: IEE for Roads, Page 2 of 4  a. In cases where there will be side cuts on hills or mountains to expand the road, there will be possible landslides. Landslides may also occur when the present roadway is excavated specially when one or both sides have steep slopes. This impact could be significant in mountainous towns such as Antipas in Cotabato. It could be avoided by careful planning of the work and installing shoring if necessary. b. The material transport and soil handling activities such as the cut and fill operations loosen soil. This intensifies erosion. Considering that the projects will involve a lot of soil handling activities, this will be a significant impact. This impact could be lessened if the activities are done during none rainy days. However, since rainfall in the project area is evenly distributed, this option may not be very effective. Careful planning of the activities and proper storage of spoils will also lessen the impact. Soil handling activities also intensifies dust problems. Whereas soil erosion is the problem during rainy days, dust problems will be the problem during non-rainy days. Considering that rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year, this is partly mitigated. However, during dry spells, this problem is reduced if water is sprayed on the ground and the loose soil. This negative impact could be very significant but it is also temporary and lasts only for the duration of the construction period. C. Excess soil or spoils in the construction will have to be disposed of. Improper disposal will result to dust and erosion and consequently siltation problems in waterways. The magnitude of the problem will be dependent on the method of disposal. Excess soil should be collected as soon as possible and brought to the disposal site. To lessen erosion at the disposal site, grasses may be planted on the mound of soil. d. Sometimes contractors build temporary quarters for their laborers during the construction period. If they fail to provide adequate sanitary facilities, this could lead to health problems that will not only affect the workers themselves but also people living nearby. Considering that the road lengths are short, and since it is expected that the laborers will be local residents, it is unlikely that the laborers will stay in construction camps. They are expected to stay in their own homes. This impact is therefore considered insignificant. However, in the event that construction camps are erected, the contractor will be required to provide adequate sanitary facilities to lessen the problem. e. There are times when there are negative impacts arising from the construction stage but which are not the results of the construction activities but rather on the failure to monitor the construction activities. This leads to defects in the construction that may lessen the life or the effectiveness of the road. Early deterioration of the road could lead to several problems such as landslides, erosion, and consequently siltation of water bodies, traffic hazards, etc. This impact could be IEE for Roads, Page 3 of 4  very significant but this is avoided by making a good monitoring program and having good people to do the monitoring. 13. Impacts During the Operation of the Project will include the following: a. Impacts as a result of vehicle passage include dust problems and traffic hazards. During dry spells, the dust problem is significant but is reduced by spraying water on the road or enforcing speed limits. Those affected will be travelers and those living along the road. The possibility of people being hit by vehicles passing through is a hazard. Pedestrians and people living nearby will be subjected to this hazard. Considering the volume of traffic and the fact that vehicles will not be able to move fast in a gravel road, this hazard could be considered insignificant. 14. Failure to have proper post construction monitoring will deprive us of the opportunity to identify errors committed in the design as well as in the construction. This causes errors to be repeated in future projects. Thus, it is not only proper to have a good construction monitoring program but also a post construction-monitoring program. IV. Recommendations 15. The IEE of the roads visited by the consultant is presented in the Appendix from pages A-1 to A-20. The impacts are mostly not significant except during the construction stage. However, impacts during the construction stage are temporary in nature so that they will not have any lasting impact. It is suggested that there is no need to undertake further environmental assessment. However, it is necessary that the mitigating measures recommended be implemented specially the provision of a good drainage system and the formulation of a good construction monitoring program as well a post-construction monitoring program. IEE for Roads, Page 4 of 4  Project Name: Rural Road (Estrella - Tumbao) for Rehabilitation Location: Pres. Quirino, Sultan Kudarat B. CHECKLIST OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AND RECOMMENDED MEASURES (page A -19) Actions Affethl Envlro nme tat:M: h AiiE ;. m0et Reomdrcio ______________l_____ Re.orcesandValues(A)^''v-iB4l *19fE 7 77 77 7m Signmeant ______________________________________________________________________ ~ ~ ~ff~1..:SmaII (L~2~ ~Modeate (D3l Major D44 1. Design Stage a Road Alignment a. a. i. Encroachment into precious ecology i. Loss of precious ecology i. none x ii Encroachment into historical/cultural values ii. Loss of these values ii. none x iii. Encroachment into forest iii Loss of forest iii. none x iv. Encroachment into agricultural lands iv. Loss of agricultural lands iv. none x v. Encroachment into residential areas v. Loss of houses / displacement of v. none x local residents b. Road Elevation b. Modification or disruption of natural b. Careful planning of drainage x drainage pattems. Consequently facilities where necessary. flooding of adjacent lotsA'armlands Inclusion of Bridges, box, culverts, reinforced concrete 2. Construction Stage pipes and side ditches a. Cut and fill a. a. X Erosion / landslide i Proper construction techniques x slope protection ii Stream Sedimentation ii. Proper storage of spoils / use of x stilling ponds when necessary Project Name: Rural Road (Estrella - Tumbao) for Rehabilitation Location: Pres. Quirino, Sultan Kudarat  B. CHECKLIST OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AND RECOMMENDED MEASURES (page A - 20) AcUonsAffecti v I '. n I Xtr - 0 e Q: 7 (feiDl, Sm Aate fD3i; MalORL (4 iii Dust Problems iii Water spray x b. Transport and laying of paving Iconstruction b. Dust Problems b. Water spray x matenals C. Disposal of spoils C C. i. Dust Problems i. Water spray x ii. Stream Sedimentation ii. Careful planning of disposal site x d. Failure to provide sanitary facilities in d. Affects health of workers and d. Provision of temporary health x construction camps nearby residents facilities e. Failure to monitor construction e. Poor construction leading to e. Competent stage monitoring defective roads 3 Project Operation i Vehicle passage i. Dust problems affecting motorists / i. Water spraying of road x nearby residents. surfacehmpose speed limit Traffic hazard endangering local Impose speed limit x residents and passersby ii. Failure to have proper post construction ii. Problems are not analyzed and so ii. Proper post construction monitoring no corrective action done. Error in monitoring and analysis to design will be carried on in future provide data for corrective projects action  Project Name: Rural Road (Kapayawi - Palao - Kitubud ) for Rehabilitation Location: Libungan, Cotabato Plus one RCBC for Construction B. CHECKLIST OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AND RECOMMENDED MEASURES (page A-1) cins Affc Envkiefa Db -eto Recommi ; 1r*cto ,; 1 , ':. 4 E! !i(D) ,gi^ . 1. Design Stage a. Road Alignment a. a. X Encroachment into precious ecology i. Loss of precious ecology i. none x ii Encroachment into historical/cultural values ii. Loss of these values ii. none x iii. Encroachment into forest iii. Loss of forest iii. none x iv. Encroachment into agricultural lands iv. Loss of agricultural lands iv. none x v. Encroachment into residential areas v. Loss of houses / displacement of local v. none x residents b. Road Elevation b. Modification or disruption of natural b. Careful planning of drainage x drainage patterns. Consequently facilities where necessary. flooding of adjacent lots/farmlands Inclusion of Bridges, box, culverts, reinforced concrete pipes and side ditches 2. Construction Stage a. Cut and fill a. a. i. Erosion / landslide i. Proper construction techniques / x slope protection ii. Stream Sedimentation ii. Proper storage of spoils / use of x stilling ponds when necessary  Project Name: Rural Road (Kapayawi - Palao - Kitubud ) for Rehabilitation Location: Libungan, Cotabato Plus one RCBC for Construction B. CHECKLIST OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AND RECOMMENDED MEASURES (page A-2) iii. Dust Problems iii. Water spray x b. Transport and laying of paving lconstruction b. Dust Problems b. Water spray x materials C. Disposal of spoils C. C. i. Dust Problems i. Water spray x ii. Stream Sedimentation ii. Careful planning of disposal site x d. Failure to provide sanitary facilities in d. Affects health of workers and nearby d. Provision of temporary health x construction camps residents facilities e. Failure to monitor construction e. Poor construction leading to defective e. Competent stage monitoring roads 3 Project Operation B Vehicle passage I. Dust problems affecting motorists/ i. Water spraying of road x nearby residents. surfaceAmpose speed limit Traffic hazard endangering local Impose speed limit x residents and passersby iin Failure to have proper post construction ii. Problems are not analyzed and so no ii. Proper post construction monitoring corrective action done. Error in design monitoring and analysis to will be carried on in future projects provide data for corrective action  Project Name: Rural Road (Baguer - Sitio Sinamulang) for Rehabilitation Location: Libungan, Cotabato Plus one RCDG for Construction B. CHECKLIST OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AND RECOMMENDED MEASURES (page A-3 ActionsAffecngEn*onmental RenmenD(meges to. i. Remned P otection . . ..fit IE ()^; Mr_ __ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ __ 4ed0"c~i 2 ModerAtei (3J, MaIr(D 1. Design Stage a. Road Alignment a. a. i. Encroachment into precious ecology i. Loss of precious ecology i. none x ai. Encroachment into historical/cultural values ii Loss of these values ii. none x iii. Encroachment into forest iii. Loss of forest iii. none x iv. Encroachment into agricultural lands iv. Loss of agricultural lands iv. none x v. Encroachment into residential areas v. Loss of houses / displacement of v. none x local residents b. Road Elevation b. Modification or disruption of natural b. Careful planning of drainage x drainage patterns. Consequently facilities where necessary. flooding of adjacent lots4armlands Inclusion of Bridges, box, culverts, reinforced concrete pipes and side ditches 2. Construction Stage a. Cut and fill a. a. i Erosion /landslide i Proper construction techniques/ x slope protection ii. Stream Sedimentation ii. Proper storage of spoils/use of x stilling ponds when necessary  Project Name: Rural Road (Baguer - Sitio Sinamulang) for Rehabilitation Location: Libungan, Cotabato Plus one RCDG for Construction B. CHECKLIST OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AND RECOMMENDED MEASURES (page A-4 - A.x,,Or,O, ffig EnXrooretw m-d e SF= ilant Ec iii. Dust Problems iii, Water spray x b. Transport and laying of paving lconstruction b. Dust Problems b Water spray x materials c. Disposal of spoils C. c. i. Dust Problems i. Water spray x ii. Stream Sedimentation ii. Careful planning of disposal site x d. Failure to provide sanitary facilities in d. Affects health of workers and d. Provision of temporary health x construction camps nearby residents facilities e. Failure to monitor construction e. Poor construction leading to a. Competent stage monitoring defective roads 3 Project Operation i Vehicle passage i. Dust problems affecting motorists/ I. Water spraying of road x nearby residents. surfacehimpose speed limit Traffic hazard endangering local Impose speed limit x residents and passersby ii. Failure to have proper post construction ii. Problems are not analyzed and so ii. Proper post construction monitoring no corrective action done. Enror in monitoring and analysis to design will be carried on in future provide data for corrective projects action  Project Name: Rural Road (San Mateo - Upper Mingading) for Rehabilitation Location: Ateosan, Cotabato and Expansion B. CHECKLIST OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AND RECOMMENDED MEASURES (page A-5 Actons AffectinglEnviron, ,ental i Damages to Reo6mmendeiO Ped 'l, IEE OD), st~sAW 8Values ) ,as (t -7s (0) .i" ;niV"cant )A 1, Design Stage a Road Alignment a. a i. Encroachment into precious ecology i. Loss of preclous ecology i. Careful planning to minimize x and offset losses ii. Encroachment into historical/cultural values ii. Loss of these values ii. Careful planning to minimize x and offset losses iii. Encroachment into forest iii. Loss of forest iii. Careful planning to minimize x and offset losses iv. Encroachment into agricultural lands iv. Loss of agricultural lands iv. Careful planning to minimize x and offset losses v. Encroachment into residential areas v. Loss of houses / displacement of v. Careful planning to minimize x local residents and offset losses b. Road Elevation b. Modification or disruption of natural b. Careful planning of drainage x drainage pattems. Consequently facilities where necessary. flooding of adjacent lots/farmlands Inclusion of Bridges, box, culverts, reinforced concrete 2. Construction Stage pipes and side ditches a. Cut and fill a. a, . Erosion / landslide i. Proper construction techniques / x slope protection h. Stream Sedimentation ii. Proper storage of spoils / use of x stilling ponds when necessary  Project Name: Rural Road (San Mateo - Upper Mingading) for Rehabilitation Location: Aleosan, Cotabato and Expansion B. CHECKLIST OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AND RECOMMENDED MEASURES (page A-6 iii. Dust Problems iii. Water spray x b. Transport and laying of paving /construction b. Dust Problems b. Water spray x materials c. Disposal of spoils C. c. i. Dust Problems i. Water spray x ii. Stream Sedimentation ii. Careful planning of disposal site x d. Failure to provide sanitary facilities in d. Affects health of workers and d. Provision of temporary health x construction camps nearby residents facilities e. Failure to monitor construction e. Poor construction leading to e. Competent stage monitoring defective roads 3 Project Operation Vehicle passage i. Dust problems affecting motorists / i. Water spraying of road x nearby residents. surfacelimpose speed limit Traffic hazard endangering local Impose speed limit x residents and passersby ii. Failure to have proper post construction ii. Problems are not analyzed and so ii. Proper post construction monitoring no corrective action done. Error in monitoring and analysis to design will be carred on in future provide data for corTective projects action  Project Name: Rural Road (San Mateo - Dualing) for Rehabilitation Location: Aleosan, Cotabato and Expansion B. CHECKLIST OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AND RECOMMENDED MEASURES (page A-7 . . Acthins Affecting Environmenta . RecotmevmmenOie4 P4t n'9,on ____ _IEE (), esau and VaIsA .. nloDet( Maue .. ;l.iia fet t. Design Stage a Road Alignment a. a. i. Encroachment into precious ecology i. Loss of precious ecology i. Careful planning to minimize x and offset losses ii. Encroachment into histoncallcultural values ii. Loss of these values ii. Careful planning to minimize x and offset losses iii. Encroachment into forest iii. Loss of forest iii. Careful planning to minimize x and offset losses iv. Encroachment into agricultural lands iv. Loss of agricultural lands iv. Careful planning to minimize x and offset losses v. Encroachment into residential areas v. Loss of houses / displacement of v. Careful planning to minimize x local residents and offset losses b Road Elevation b. Modification or disruption of natural b. Careful planning of drainage x drainage pattems. Consequently facilities where necessary. flooding of adjacent lots/farmiands Inclusion of Bridges, box, culverts, reinforced concrete 2. Construction Stage pipes and side ditches a Cut and fill a. a. i. Erosion / landslide i. Proper construction techniques / x slope protection ii. Stream Sedimentation ii. Proper storage of spoils / use of x stilling ponds when necessary  Project Name: Rural Road (San Mateo - Dualing) for Rehabilitation Location: Aleosan, Cotabato and Expansion B. CHECKLIST OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AND RECOMMENDED MEASURES (page A-8 H Z P iii Dust Problems iii Water spray x b. Transport and laying of paving Iconstruction b. Dust Problems b. Water spray x materials c. Disposal of spoils c. c I. Dust Problems i. Water spray x ii. Stream Sedimentation ii. Careful planning of disposal site x d. Failure to provide sanitary facilities in d. Affects health of workers and d. Provision of temporary health x construction camps nearby residents facilities e. Failure to monitor construction e. Poor construction leading to e. Competent stage monitoring defective roads 3 Project Operation i. Vehicle passage i. Dust problems affecting motorists i. Water spraying of road x nearby residents. surface/impose speed limit Traffic hazard endangering local Impose speed limit x residents and passersby ii. Failure to have proper post construction ii. Problems are not analyzed and so ii. Proper post construction monitoring no corrective action done. Error in monitoring and analysis to design will be carried on in future provide data for corrective projects action  Project Name: Rural Road (Agod - Malire) for Rehabilitation Location: Antipas, Cotabato B. CHECKLIST OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AND RECOMMENDED MEASURES (page A-9 1.Design Stage mn~ U a. Road Alignment a. a. . Encroachment into precious ecology i. Loss of precious ecology i. none x ii. Encroachment into historical/cultural values ii. Loss of these values 1i. none x fii. Encroachment into forest iii. Loss oftforest jD. none x iv. Encroachment into agricultural lands iv. Loss of agricultural lands iv. none x v. Encroachment into residential areas v. Loss of houses /displacement of v. none x local residents b. Road Elevation b. Modification or disruption of natural b. Careful planning of drainage x drainage patterns. Consequently facilities where necessary. flooding of adjacent lots/farmlands Inclusion of Bridges, box, culverts, reinforced concrete 2. Construction Stage pipes and side ditches a. Cut and fill a. a. i. Erosion /landslide , i. Proper construction techniques / x slope protection ii. Stream Sedimentation a. Proper storage of spoils / use of x stilling ponds when necessary  Project Name: Rural Road (Agod - Malire) for Rehabilitation Location: Antipas, Cotabato B. CHECKLIST OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AND RECOMMENDED MEASURES (page A-10 , @" :n d B ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ i~~~~~ S~~o $,uWl" wtw _ #- iii. Dust Problems iii. Water spray x b Transport and laying of paving /construction b. Dust Problems b. Water spray x materials c. Disposal of spoils c. c. X Dust Problems i. Water spray x ii. Stream Sedimentation ii. Careful planning of disposal site x d. Failure to provide sanitary facilities in d. Affects health of workers and d. Provision of temporary health x construction camps nearby residents facilities e. Failure to monitor construction e. Poor construction leading to e. Competent stage monitoring defective roads 3 Project Operation i. Vehicle passage i. Dust problems affecting motorists/ i. Water spraying of road x nearby residents. surface/impose speed limit Traffic hazard endangering local Impose speed limit residents and passersby ii. Failure to have proper post construction ii. Problems are not analyzed and so ii. Proper post construction monitoring no corrective action done. Error in monitoring and analysis to design will be carried on in future provide data for corrective projects action  Project Name: Rural Road (Logdeck - Malangag) for Rehabilitation Location: Antipas, Cotabato B. CHECKLIST OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AND RECOMMENDED MEASURES (page A -11 ) 1. Design Stage a. Road Alignment a. a. i Encroachment into precious ecology i Loss of precious ecology i. none x ii Encroachment into histoncatlcultural values ii Loss of these values ii. none x in. Encroachment into forest iiir Loss of forest iW none x iv. Encroachment into agricultural lands iv. Loss of agricultural lands iv. none x v. Encroachment into residential areas v. Loss of houses / displacement of v. none x local residents b. Road Elevation b. Modification or disruption of natural b. Careful planning of drainage x drainage patterns. Consequently facilities where necessary. flooding of adjacent lots/farmlands Inclusion of Bridges, box, culverts, reinforced concrete 2. Co o Sg pipes and side ditches 2. Construction Stage a. Cut and fill a. a. i. Erosion/ landslide i. Proper construction techniques/ x slope protection ii. Stream Sedimentation ii. Proper storage of spoils / use of x stilling ponds when necessary s . _ __.- -  Project Name: Rural Road (Logdeck - Malangag) for Rehabilitation Location: Antipas, Cotabato B. CHECKLIST OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AND RECOMMENDED MEASURES (page A - 12) u;