Environmental Impact Assessment

• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

  A process that assesses the possible impact of a planned project or activity on the environment and the community
• Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)


  Outlines the possible impacts to the environment when performing and developing a project
• The EIA system in the Philippines is officially specified as the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System (PEISS)
• PEISS was officially settled June 11, 1978 under the Presidential Decree 1586
• The decree states that no one should be allowed to perform projects or activities that will affect the environment or area in any way without acquiring an Environmental Compliance Certificate
• Stages of EIA


  1. Scoping - Filters which project should be assessed

  2. Screening - Filters which project need to have a full or partial impact review

  3. Interpretation of Impacts and possible alternatives - prediction of possible environmental impacts and analysis of possible alternatives

  4. Review of the EIS - goes through the impacts, mitigation, and alternatives in detail

  5. Monitoring and Verifying - a stage where it confirms the safety measures and mitigation strategies proposed. It also checks if said strategies also failed or have any flaws

  6. Reporting the Environmental Impact Statement - this should include an Environmental Management Plan and a less technical summary

  7. Decision making or verdict - delivers the result on whether the project may continue or not after the review of EIS
• The Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge is a proposed bridge in Luzon which would connect the provinces of Bataan and Cavite
• The alignment crosses over the Manila Bay – a natural harbor that is bounded by Cavite and Metro Manila on the east, Bulacan and Pampanga on the north and Bataan on the northwest
• The alignment will cross both the north and south channel on either side of Corregidor Island
• Land assessment


  • The 32-km bridge would link Bataan and Cavite across Manila Bay
  • The bridge on the Bataan side would be landing on the Municipality of Mariveles
  • The Cavite side, the bridge would be landing on the Municipality of Naic
  • The alignment would not touch Corregidor Island, but will pass through the south west tip of the island
• Land assessment (continued)


  • The alignment of the proposed Bataan - Cavite Interlink Bridge Project will only traverse along Barangays of Alas-Asin and Mt. View in Mariveles, Bataan and Barangays Sabang, Timalan Concepcion, and Timalan Balsahan in Naic, Cavite
• Environmentally critical areas within the project site

  • Areas which constitute the habitat for any endangered or threatened species of indigenous Philippine wildlife
  • Areas frequently visited and or hard-hit by natural calamities
  • Water bodies tapped for domestic purposes, within controlled and/or protected areas declared by appropriate authorities, or which support wildlife and fishery activities
• Water assessment


  • The largest potential impact of the project to the surrounding bodies of water would be during construction. Sedimentation and siltation would be a crucial source of risk and impact
  • During post-construction, there could be potential impediment in water flow, with the bridge being in a narrow channel and with accumulation of sediments from construction
• Water assessment (mitigation)


  • Secure appropriate erosion control measures
  • Stockpiles will be placed away from the water courses and protected against natural elements to prevent the transport of soil and sediment
  • Soil debris and other excavated materials should be hauled out from the site
  • A flood warning alarm system will be developed to include protocols in monitoring heavy rains and increase in water levels
• Air assessment (weather)


  • The project location is under Type I category, which experiences two pronounced seasons, dry from November to April, and wet during the rest of the year
• Air assessment (microclimate)


  • A change in microclimate may greatly affect the ecosystem, depending on its species composition
• Air assessment (climate change)

  • Flooding, landslides and typhoons are possible causes of construction delays because of environmental and construction hazards it imposes on the project
• Air assessment (microclimate mitigation)

  • Cutting of trees in and around the area must be brought to a minimum or replanting of trees should occur if no other option is possible
  • Installing mist sprays on site can also help to cool the area
  • Installing roofs and roads that reflect incoming solar radiation or green roofs can help lower the temperature of the area, inevitably reducing the health and ecosystem risk of the project
• Air assessment (climate change mitigation)

  • Extra drainage and durability for the construction and operation phase is required
  • The durability to heat must be reinforced as droughts should be expected
  • The location must be thoroughly discussed as flood prone areas may experience higher waters
  • Prevention of breeding grounds of mosquitoes and other insects must also be taken into consideration during the construction phase
• Air assessment (air quality)


  • Vehicle and equipment emissions are one of the primary sources of air pollution as these create particulate matter, such as smoke and dust, and other gaseous pollutants
• Air assessment (air quality mitigation)

  • Conduct regular inspection and maintenance for construction and transport vehicles, and machines
  • Use cleaner fuel such as biofuel or diesel if possible
  • Use renewable energy to power equipment or appliances found on site
  • Plant trees in between project sites and local communities to reduce their exposure to these
  • Turn off the engine of idling vehicles to prevent wasting fuel
• Air assessment (noise level)

  • Heavy machinery, construction equipment, and transport vehicles are possible sources of noise during the construction phase
  • Transportation vehicles are the main source of noise during the operation phase
  • The overexposure to the noise may result in nuisances, sleep deprivation, stress, and other physical, physiological, and psychological effects, experienced by nearby residents
• Air assessment (noise level - sensitive receivers)


  • Sensitive receivers are typically defined as schools, hospitals, residential care facilities, or daycare centers, or other facilities that may house individuals with health conditions that would be adversely impacted by changes in the environment
• The Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System was settled

  June 12, 1978
• Presidential Decree


  1586
• Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)


  A document required in order to develop a proposed project that will affect the environment in some way
• Stages of EIA


  1. Screening - Checks if a proposed project should have a partial or complete review

  2. Scoping - Determines the focus and content of the EIA

  3. Monitoring or Verifying - Checks if the proposed mitigation and safety strategies are implemented while the project is being implemented

  4. Review of the EIS - Evaluates the EIS document
• The Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge project has one landing point in Mariveles, Bataan and one landing point in Naic, Cavite
• Sensitive receivers


  Schools, hospitals, residential care facilities, or daycare centers, or other facilities that may house individuals with health conditions that would be adversely impacted by changes in the environment
• Influx of migrants during the construction phase

  May cause temporary strain to the host LGUs
• The water and power needs of the project


  May impact the local supply of the host LGUs
• Competition for basic utilities and services

  Inevitable as the local population increases due to the influx of workers
• The project's detailed engineering design was 70% complete in 2023
• The construction of the bridge would start in 2024, and is expected to end in 2029
• The potential environmental impacts did not stop the project from being rejected or halted