The need to conduct a REA is that the proposed project can have significant
environmental benefits and impacts that need to be addressed at the regional level.
The REA also allows the impacts of other projects in the Region to be assessed.
Although these projects’ impacts can be addressed through project-specific
environmental assessments, the REA will enable the Land Bank of the Philippines
(LBP) as the drawer of the loan, and the funding agency (World Bank) to assess the
cumulative and interactive impacts of these project components. This larger-scale
appreciation will allow the LBP and the World Bank to better evaluate the MTSP as
an investment and compare this with other alternatives. Other potential benefits of
the REA, based on its application in other countries include:
ÿ Provide a baseline overview on the regional sewerage management conditions
where traditional impact assessment and environmental monitoring can be
instituted
ÿ Assist stakeholders develop long-term development plans that recognize and
avoid aspects that are potentially harmful to the environment