Philippines: Facility for Accelerating Studies for Infrastructure (FAST-Infra)

OBJECTIVE

To develop a robust transportation infrastructure investment program aligned with the Philippines’ sustainable development goals.

DESCRIPTION

The Project will support (i) the formulation of transport infrastructure master plans, covering passengers and goods, (ii) the development of manuals, guidelines, and tools to plan and define low-carbon, climate resilience, safe, and technology-enabled transport infrastructure, and (iii) the procurement and implementation activities.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL INFORMATION

Applicable Policy and Categorization. AIIB’s Environmental and Social Policy (ESP), including the Environment and Social Standards (ESSs) and the Environmental and Social Exclusion List (ESEL), apply to the Project. There will be no direct financing for infrastructure investment projects or any type of civil works, thus the Project is classified as Category C as there will be no adverse environmental and social (E&S) impacts.

Environmental and Social Instruments. The Project will incorporate E&S considerations into the upstream studies and activities. A Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) will be conducted as part of national, regional, and urban master plans. The SESA will include the following aspects: (i) high-level analysis of E&S impacts and opportunities to be considered in the decision-making for the investment programming, (ii) identification of preliminary conceptual optimization and mitigation measures, and (iii) proposal of appropriate guiding principles consistent with AIIB’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF). The SESA findings and recommendations will be integrated into the master plans to address potential E&S risks and impacts, capacity building and opportunities associated with the institutional strengthening and execution of the programs.

Environmental, Social and Gender Aspects. As above-mentioned, studies and activities under the Project will include E&S considerations. Therefore, transportation investments identified under the Project will generate largely positive socio-economic benefits in terms of serving the growing transportation demand, improving travel conditions, and reducing transportation-associated externalities. In addition, the master plans, as part of the SESA and stakeholder engagement, will include a gender-inclusive and responsive approach to address risks related to gender-based violence (GBV), harassment, and discrimination and opportunities for women and vulnerable groups empowerment in the transport sector. While the Project will not have adverse direct impact to women and vulnerable groups, the Project will contribute to mainstreaming gender equality, universal accessibility, and social inclusion during the formulation of transport investment programs.

Stakeholder Engagement, Consultation, and Information Disclosure. A Stakeholder Engagement Framework (SEF) will be developed to guide and facilitate effective stakeholder engagement. Stakeholder engagement and public consultation will be a core part of the master plans and strategy logistic roadmap. Public consultations will be conducted at the national, regional, and local levels, as deemed appropriate, along with key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and other consultation forms. These consultations will provide opportunities for interested stakeholders, including national to local government units, government line agencies, civil society organizations (CSOs) or nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), private sector, vulnerable groups, and other sectors, to participate and identify their perspectives, issues, concerns, and the overall impact on the E&S aspect of master plans, which be considered in the formulation of transport investment programs. A summary of SESA both in English and the local understandable language will be timely disclosed by the Borrower and the Bank in an appropriate manner.

Project Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) and Monitoring Arrangement. The Project will utilize the existing GRM of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and its attached agencies through their “DOTr Commuter Hotline” available via WhatsApp, Viber; calling and emails, and the “8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center” available by calling, messaging, and www.8888.gov.ph. The Information of Project GRM and Bank’s Project-affected People’s Mechanism (PPM) will be timely disclosed in an appropriate manner. Additionally, DOTr will also be responsible for overall coordination, supervision, and monitoring of the Project’s E&S aspects. AIIB plans to conduct supervision missions twice a year. AIIB may conduct field visits of the transportation investments to be identified under the Project.