Philippines - Second Mindanao Rural Development (MRDP-APL2) Project : regional environmental assessment

This regional environmental assessment of the Second Mindanao Rural Development (MRDP-APL2) Project for the Philippines determines the potential environmental impacts of the program in Mindanao, and assesses how impacts may cumulatively affect the ecology and human living conditions within given area or region. It concludes that the program's subprojects will not cause significant environmental impacts. The scale of planned subprojects on infrastructures and community livelihood, including those under the category of alternative income generating activities, are relatively small, and rehabilitate or enhance existing ones. The report's results reveal that agricultural activities such as farming of hilly lands use of pesticides, burning of rice straws in the field, indiscriminate discharge of effluents from food processing plant, and piggery subprojects may cause undesirable environmental effects. While these activities are associated with small scale subprojects, which by themselves alone will have negligible adverse environmental impact, their cumulative impact may become significant. Therefore, certain safeguards will be put in place to minimize, if not avoid, cumulative impact. The principle followed is that of balancing the objectives of environmental conservation and those of poverty reduction. Subprojects will not be financed which run contrary to the following: For tree plantations, alternate indigenous species as a buffer to fast-growing exotic species or plant fast growing indigenous species within buffer zones of protected areas to prevent an exchange of genetic material through pollen transport. Accept fuelwood and charcoal production only from tree plantations. Use contour farming for sloping lands rather than plow perpendicular to the contour. Agroforestry farms should be designed with mutli-stories so as to increase habitat niches for wildlife and biodiversity in general. Establish biological corridors to ensure that wildlife are unimpeded in their movements and their ability to reproduce. Subprojects will not be located in critical habitats. Because mangroves serve as nurseries to marine organisms such as fish and crustaceans, they will be protected as well. Subprojects that entail draining of waste products/materials into river systems or increase siltation without due mitigating measures will not qualify for financing. Any subproject that results in the draining of Liguasan Marsh will not be financed, considering that it is a globally significant wetland habitat of endemic and indigenous species. Lastly the report advocates close environmental monitoring of compliance to guidelines and impacts of subprojects, and staff training and institutional strengthening to ensure environmental safeguards are implemented.