Philippines : Tiger Digital Infrastructure for Rural Connectivity Project
The loan will support the development, construction, and operations of up to 380 telecommunications towers focused on the Mindanao and Visayas islands in the Philippines. ADB will provide long-term fixed rate project financing on a portfolio-based approach.
Project Details
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Project Officer
Bhattacharya, Aditi
Private Sector Operations Department
Request for information -
Approval Date
24 November 2022 -
Country/Economy
Philippines -
Sector
- Information and communication technology
| Project Name | Tiger Digital Infrastructure for Rural Connectivity Project | |||||||||||||||
| Project Number | 56189-001 | |||||||||||||||
| Borrower / Company | Tiger Infrastructure Philippines Inc. |
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| Country / Economy | Philippines |
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| Location | Mindanao, Visayas | |||||||||||||||
| Type or Modality of Assistance |
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| Operational Priorities | OP1: Addressing remaining poverty and reducing inequalities OP2: Accelerating progress in gender equality OP5: Promoting rural development and food security |
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| Sector / Subsector | Information and communication technology / ICT infrastructure |
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| Gender | Some gender elements | |||||||||||||||
| Responsible ADB Department | Private Sector Operations Department | |||||||||||||||
| Responsible ADB Division | Infrastructure Finance Division 2 | |||||||||||||||
| Responsible ADB Officer | Bhattacharya, Aditi | |||||||||||||||
| Project Sponsor(s) | ||||||||||||||||
| Description | The loan will support the development, construction, and operations of up to 380 telecommunications towers focused on the Mindanao and Visayas islands in the Philippines. ADB will provide long-term fixed rate project financing on a portfolio-based approach. | |||||||||||||||
| Objectives and Scope | The project involves the development, construction, operations, and maintenance of up to 380 ground mounted towers that are essential in enabling mobile network operators to provide a full range of mobile and data services in the Philippines. Majority of the towers will be in the Mindanao and Visayas regions, helping expand affordable telecommunication services in underserved areas of the Philippines and accelerate economic recovery from the coronavirus disease pandemic. | |||||||||||||||
| Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy | The project is consistent with ADBs Strategy 2030, (i) promoting quality infrastructure investments and enhancing connectivity in the region; and (ii) expanding private sector operations to reach one-third of ADB operations in number by 2024. Further, the project supports 3 operational priorities: (i) addressing remaining poverty and reducing inequalities; (ii) accelerating progress in gender equality; and (iii) promoting rural development. . The Project addresses a critical connectivity gap in infrastructure development in the Philippines. Access to the digital economy is one of driving forces for inclusive growth in remote underserved regions as it promotes the mobility of the population from less productive sectors to better economic opportunities and improves the productivity of many sectors. |
| Safeguard Categories | |
|---|---|
| Environment | B |
| Involuntary Resettlement | C |
| Indigenous Peoples | B |
| Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects | |
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| Environmental Aspects | ADB has undertaken due diligence and reviewed the potential environmental and social impacts of the project and the measures to avoid, minimize, mitigate, and compensate for the adverse impacts in the safeguard reports and plans. Tiger Infrastructure is committed to developing and maintaining the necessary environmental and social management system (ESMS) and institutional capacity to manage the projects social and environmental impacts. The borrowers environmental and social consultant conducted a corporate ESMS audit and project-level social compliance audit. At the time of due diligence, Tiger Infrastructure had completed the acquisitions of the 14 sites, but the site clearing and construction works have not yet started. The borrower is yet to determine the location of the rest of the towers. The anticipated environmental impacts associated with the project mainly concern occupational and community health and safety, noise and reduced air quality, transportation and traffic, waste generation, biodiversity, electric and magnetic fields, and visual amenity. National legislation does not require the project to secure an environmental compliance certificate; however, this does not exempt the project from compliance with applicable environmental laws, rules and regulations including permitting requirements of other government agencies. |
| Involuntary Resettlement | No involuntary resettlement impacts are envisaged. Sites are leased from private landowners through a willing lessor-willing lessee arrangement. Sites that may cause displacement to third-parties or informal users will not be considered. |
| Indigenous Peoples | As towers will be established in Visayas and Mindanao, there may be sites within indigenous peoples domains. While the project is not expected to displace indigenous peoples, Tiger Infrastructure shall foster full respect for indigenous peoples identity, dignity and cultural uniqueness; ensure indigenous peoples in the area do not suffer any adverse impacts from the project; allow them to participate actively in case they are affected; and comply with all requirements under the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997. |
| Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation | |
| Timetable for assistance design, processing and implementation | |
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| Concept Clearance | 28 Oct 2022 |
| Credit Committee Meeting | 28 Oct 2022 |
| Approval | 24 Nov 2022 |
| Last PDS Update | 25 Nov 2022 |
Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.
The Access to Information Policy (AIP) recognizes that transparency and accountability are essential to development effectiveness. It establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced.
The Accountability Mechanism provides a forum where people adversely affected by ADB-assisted projects can voice and seek solutions to their problems and report alleged noncompliance of ADB's operational policies and procedures.
In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of, or reference to, a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.
| Title | Document Type | Document Date |
|---|---|---|
| Tiger Digital Infrastructure for Rural Connectivity Project: FAST Report | Faster Approach to Small Nonsovereign Transactions | Nov 2022 |
| Tiger Digital Infrastructure for Rural Connectivity Project: Initial Poverty and Social Analysis | Initial Poverty and Social Analysis | Oct 2022 |
Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.
| Title | Document Type | Document Date |
|---|---|---|
| Tiger Digital Infrastructure for Rural Connectivity Project: Draft Initial Environmental and Social Examination Report | Initial Environmental Examination | Dec 2022 |
| Tiger Digital Infrastructure for Rural Connectivity Project: Environmental Assessment and Review Framework | Environmental Assessment and Review Framework | Oct 2022 |
| Tiger Digital Infrastructure for Rural Connectivity Project: Environmental and Social Compliance Audit Report | Environment and Social Compliance Audit Reports | Oct 2022 |
| Tiger Digital Infrastructure for Rural Connectivity Project: Indigenous Peoples Planning Framework | Indigenous Peoples Planning Frameworks/Indigenous Peoples Development Frameworks | Oct 2022 |
Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation
None currently available.
Related Publications
None currently available.
The Access to Information Policy (AIP) establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced in its operations to facilitate stakeholder participation in ADB's decision-making. For more information, refer to the Safeguard Policy Statement, Operations Manual F1, and Operations Manual L3.
Requests for information may also be directed to the InfoUnit.
ADB, Tiger Infrastructure Sign $40 Million Loan to Support Rural Connectivity in Southern Philippines
ADB signed a $40 million loan with Tiger Infrastructure to build 380 telecommunications towers in the Mindanao and Visayas regions of the Philippines.