Consulting Services for the Detailed Engineering Design and Construction Supervision of Public School Buildings and Health Facilities Selected for Retrofitting and Strengthening/Upgrading in Preparation for “The Big One” – FIRM 4 Project in the Republic of the Philippines

Sector: Urban Development

Country: Philippines

PRIMEX is providing the services of two international and thirteen national specialists for the DED Phase to assist the DPWH and PIU in conducting concept designs, preparation of environmental and social safeguards instruments/plans, and preparation of final DED. In the DED Phase, the International Senior Environment Specialist, in collaboration with the Senior Social Safeguards Specialist and the Design Team, conducts environmental screenings, prepares environmental impact assessments and management plans, and develops various safeguard-related plans and procedures (EIS/EPRMP/IEE/Checklist and various plans). Determines environmental and social risk categories, recommends capacity building, and ensures safeguards are integrated into project design and implementation. The International Senior Fire Protection Specialist will assess designs, review compliance, evaluate existing systems (especially seismic performance), create detailed specifications and documentation compliant with international standards (like National Fire Protection Association [NFPA]), design fire detection/suppression systems in collaboration with other disciplines, ensure standards compliance, develop emergency plans, prepare documentation for approvals, stakeholder engagement and training, and detailed reporting. The National Senior Safeguard Specialist will conduct socioeconomic analysis and surveys, develop gender action plans, and prepare reports related to stakeholder engagement, grievance redress, and labor management, assess social risks, determine environmental and social risk categories for subprojects, and develop criteria for social sustainability and resettlement. The three National Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Technical Analysts support the environmental and social safeguards team by ensuring compliance with regulations, identifying environmental and social factors, collecting data, and coordinating with stakeholders. Responsibilities include assessing project impacts, developing management plans, organizing consultations, compiling reports, conducting evaluations, preparing safeguard reports, and performing related tasks as assigned. The four National Environmental Specialists will assist the International Environmental Specialist and the Design Team with all the given tasks and perform other task related to the safeguard requirements. The four National Social Safeguard Specialist will assist the International Environmental Specialist and Design Team with various environmental and social safeguard tasks. These include conducting environmental screenings, preparing environmental impact assessments and management plans (EIS/EPRMP/IEE/Checklist), determining subproject environmental and social risk categories, recommending institutional capacity improvements, ensuring safeguards are integrated into project design and implementation, and performing other related tasks as assigned. The National Communication Specialist will: (i) facilitate communication with stakeholders and organize meetings; (ii) educate local communities on retrofitting efforts; (iii) develop plans for unexpected issues and serve as the point of contact; (iv) document communication activities; (v) train project staff on communication practices and promote disaster preparedness; (vi) establish methods to gather stakeholder feedback; and (vii) evaluate the effectiveness of communication efforts.