Bachelor of Science in Forestry

Abstract

Environmental and social risks are the major concerns of the government to ensure the safety of the people. Integrating social and environmental impact assessments are also important tools to mitigate risk during the road development. Road development has the most numerous impacts to the environment, especially on mountains areas. Hence, this research study aimed to assess the social and environmental impacts of the road development project at Barangay Dibut, San Luis, Aurora. The researchers randomly selected one hundred thirty-one (131) participants from Barangay Dibut which was computed based on the total population of the barangay using Slovin's formula. This study utilized descriptive research design. The gathering of data was divided into two phases: administration of survey questionnaire to the residents of Barangay Dibut and interview with the barangay officials. Results revealed that most of the respondents highly perceived that the road development project provided them more livelihood opportunities, easier and safer to travel, and easy access to school after the road was improved. However, the respondents moderately perceived the impacts of road development on the environment such as landslide, flash-floods, siltation and pollution. Hence, majority of the respondents suggested to consider replacement of the cut/damaged forest trees and conduct tree planting activities on the area adjacent to the being constructed to avoid future erosion problems.