Environmental Assessment Framework and Guidelines: Experience from the Philippines

Transcription

1 Environmental Assessment Framework and Guidelines: Experience from the Philippines Presented by: Joe B. Tuyor Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic March 26-28, 2008 Tbilisi, Georgia April 1-3,

2 Outline of the Presentation Background of the Philippines and its Portfolio Why Use EA Framework and Guidelines Contents of EA Framework & Guidelines Processes and Procedures for Using the Framework Institutional Arrangements for using the Framework Capacity Building Implementation Experience Challenges 2

3 Background of the Philippines Located in Southeast Asia Lower middle income country Archipelagic country with 7,107 islands Presidential system of government Decentralized system of administration local governments playing a key role in delivery of basic social services 3

4 Background of the Philippine Portfolio 22 active Projects, total net commitment of $1.13 billion >50% of Projects have subprojects that are decentralized and demand-driven in nature Subprojects are implemented by local governments and communities on demand-driven basis Subprojects are small to medium scale Diverse subproject types: small infrastructure, communitybased NRM, agriculture, health centers, eco-tourism, alternative livelihoods, solid waste mgt. facilities, wastewater treatment facilities, sanitation, etc. 4

5 Why Use Framework and Guidelines Types of subprojects not known at appraisal; only identified at implementation Majority of the subprojects are small-scale, mostly not covered by the national EIA law Subproject proponents have inadequate capacity Thousands of subprojects scattered nationwide 5

6 Contents of EA Framework* General provisions Scope and coverage Procedures and processes Monitoring and evaluation Institutional arrangements * Took into account World Bank and Government EA policies and requirements 6

7 Contents of EA Framework General provisions policy and legal bases definition of terms Scope and coverage use of the project thresholds to determine coverage with EA (mainly extent of civil works and types activities that would have adverse impacts) covered projects category A (requirement: full EA) & B (requirement: IEE) projects non-covered projects category C (requirement: screening for impact, if any, only or simple EMP) 7

8 Contents of EA Framework Procedures details the procedures for environmental screening of subprojects for coverage/non-coverage, type of EA required, review, processing and approval of the EA Monitoring and evaluation details compliance monitoring and evaluation Institutional arrangements details the responsibilities of the proponent, PMOs/ PIUs, govt. EA regulatory agency, World Bank 8

9 Contents of Environmental Guidelines Environmental standards and sustainability measures for each type of subproject to address impacts and enhance sustainability of subprojects Measures for consideration and/or mainstreaming in subproject design, site selection, EMP formulation and implementation Apply to both covered and non-covered subprojects 9

10 Processes and Procedures Involved in using the Framework and Guidelines Step 1: Environmental screening of subprojects use of project thresholds to determine coverage or non-coverage with the EIA requirements conducted by the subproject proponent with guidance from the PMO/PIU Step 2: Determine EA requirement non-covered subprojects - impact screening only using a checklist or prepare a simple EMP using the environmental guidelines 10

11 Processes and Procedures Involved in using the Framework and Guidelines Step 2 (continued) covered subprojects - screening for environment category (A or B) and determine type of EA (full EA or IEE) Step 3: Review of safeguard non-covered: review done by the PMO/PIU covered: review done by the govt. regulatory agency (and the Bank) 11

12 Processes and Procedures Involved in using the Framework and Guidelines Approval non-covered: no formal approval covered: approval by govt. regulatory agency Supervision and monitoring PMO/PIU Government Regulatory Agency World Bank 12

13 Safeguard Institutional Arrangements Subproject proponents: local govt. and communities conduct screening using the project threshold prepare the EA and implement the EMP PMOs/PIUs approve subproject, provide oversight, TA, guidance, coordination, monitoring Government Regulatory Agency reviews EA, issues EA permit and conducts monitoring World Bank 13 monitors compliance by PMOs/PIUs and proponents to agreed frameworks

14 Capacity Building Project orientation and briefing Training of the PMO/PIU who then trains the local governments and communities Specialized trainings on demand basis Annual safeguards forum to share lessons learned & experiences, discuss issues and agree on solutions 14

15 Capacity Building Annual safeguards forum started in 2003 objectives: (i) to increase awareness and understanding on Bank safeguard policies; (ii) to share experiences & lessons learned; (iii) to discuss and agree on resolution of safeguard issues & implementation challenges; (iv) to improve project compliance to safeguard policies & frameworks participants: PMOs/PIUs, sector agencies, government oversight agencies, safeguard agencies, government-financing institutions, local government units, congress, donor agencies, safeguard practitioners, civil society organizations, private sector, contractors last forum was co-financed by ADB with support from CIDA 15

16 Implementation Experience Simple and practical framework and guidelines work Subproject design is enhanced by the use of guidelines Sustainability measures incorporated in the design Increase awareness of local governments and communities Need to build capacity at all levels Buy in of proponents on the added value of safeguards beyond compliance is critical Costing for mitigating measures is always an issue, hence mainstreaming in the design ensures incorporation 16

17 Challenges Building capacity of local governments and communities Enhancing the capacity of PMOs/PIUs Incorporating cost of EMP/mitigating measures in subproject cost Improving environmental screening Intensifying supervision and monitoring 17

18 Thank you! 18