DESCRIPTION
The Project will focus on about 56 potentially critical drainage areas with an approximate land area of 11,100 ha or over 17 percent of the total area of Metro Manila. The total population of these drainage areas is estimated at 3.5 million while the direct Project beneficiaries, i.e., those adversely affected by regular flooding, are estimated at 1.7 million. The components of the Project are summarized below:
(i) Modernizing of Drainage Area
The component will modernize approximately 36 existing pumping stations and construct approximately 20 new pumping stations in areas where the population has grown rapidly over the past few years. The associated infrastructure such as flood gates, trash racks, drainage channels and other mechanical equipment will either be newly constructed or rehabilitated.
(ii) Minimizing Solid Waste Dumped in Waterways
The component will improve solid waste management practices within selected drainage areas. The collection and disposal system in the vicinity of pumping stations as well as in the upstream catchment areas will be strengthened.
(iii) Participatory Housing and Resettlement
The component will support land acquisition, site development, housing construction, upfront capital subsidy, rental support (for transitional period, as needed), livelihood assistance programs, and various technical assistance and capacity-building activities that will help strengthen the communities and implementing agencies.
(iv) Project Management and Coordination
The component will provide project management support to the implementation units for timely and effective delivery of the Project, including monitoring and evaluation, procurement, financial management, and safeguard monitoring, etc.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL INFORMATION
The Bank has decided to use the WB’s Environmental and Social Safeguard Policies (Safeguard Policies),since (i) they are consistent with the Bank’s Articles of Agreement and materially consistent with the provisions of the Bank’s Environmental and Social Policy and relevant Environmental and Social Standards; and (ii) the monitoring procedures that the WB has in place to ascertain compliance with its Safeguard Policies are appropriate for the Project. Under the WB’s Safeguard Policies, the Project has been assigned Category A. The Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) for the project has been disclosed on the WB website: http://projects.worldbank.org/P153814/?lang=en&tab=documents&subTab=projectDocuments.
