PPP projects that affect Indigenous Peoples (IPs) should be thoroughly screened and evaluated by the proponent and IP leaders with technical assistance or guidance from anthropology experts or consultants in order to safeguard IPs interest and various rights. Examples of these projects are the construction of multi-purpose dams, major roads and highways, upland orchards and tree farms, and settlements development, among others. At the LGU level, the projects that may affect IPs include airports and ports, tourism development and other physical infrastructure construction within or near their ancestral lands and water such as lakes, coastal waters, and forest areas. Hence, such types of projects should be designed in such a way that is supportive of their culture, livelihood systems, and property rights. Proposed PPP project development and implementation must comply with the relevant provisions of the IPRA law.
Various international lending institutions also promote the protection and enhancement of Indigenous Peoples' cultural rights and quality of life such as the Safeguard Policies of ADB and the World Bank, and the Performance Standards set by international private banks. Project types that usually access international lending institutions are large capital projects such as major infrastructure projects. At the LGU level, the projects that usually avail of foreign funding includes flood control and drainage improvement, roads, airports and ports, sanitary landfill, sewerage system, water supply, industrial, agriculture and estate development.
When IPs culture, dignity, human rights, livelihood system, cultural resources, or ancestral lands are threatened directly or indirectly affected by the proposed project, a thorough social impact assessment is required. The measures to avoid or minimize the negative impacts on IPs are included in the Indigenous Peoples Plan (IPP) that must be prepared as part of the documentary requirement of the PPP project proposal.
Mainstreaming Indigenous Peoples in project development and implementation involves: a) their participation in planning and decision making; b) making sure that they benefit from the project; and c) that they are not in any way adversely affected by the project. Hence, PPP projects that will affect Indigenous Peoples are classified by ADB (2009) into the following types:
1. Category A. These are projects that would most likely to have significant impacts on Indigenous Peoples. An Indigenous Peoples plan (IPP), including assessment of social impacts, is required.
2. Category B. These projects are likely to have limited impacts on Indigenous Peoples. An IPP, including assessment of social impacts, is required.
3. Category C. These projects are not expected to have impacts on Indigenous Peoples. No further action is required.
General Procedures for Impact Assessment to be conducted by the project proponent with the oversight of the PPP Center and technical review by the Commission on Indigenous Peoples are as follows:
1. Identify the presence of IPs in the project site
2. Determine whether the project operations will affect directly or indirectly the IPs in the site or neighboring areas
3. Inform the IPs on the proposed PPP project
4. Conduct scoping of issues with IP leaders and representatives
5. Identify the potential adverse impacts of the project on the IPs using an impact assessment checklist
6. Gather baseline data for further analysis of impacts on the socioeconomic, cultural and environmental concerns of IPs
7. Determine the significant impacts of the proposed project
8. Categorize the project using ADB category for IPs
9. Determine whether the project would require an EIA, IEE or PD
10. Propose measures to avoid or mitigate the significant impacts of the project
11. Prepare the IPP Plan for Category A and B projects
12. Integrate the IP Plan in the EIA or IEE document
13. Consult the IP leaders on the proposed IP plan
14. Obtain proofs on the acceptability of the project to IPs owning titled ancestral lands
15. Secure consent and agreement or documented covenants with the IPs for the implementation of the project that will affect their properties and customary rights
16. Involve the IP representatives in monitoring of the project's compliance to the agreement/covenant and IP Plan
17. Prepare implementation arrangements for the IP Plan
18. Prepare Monitoring and Evaluation System
19. Estimate budget requirements
20. Monitor and evaluate the benefits of the project to IPs