Towards developing a social impact assessment: Involuntary resettlement in the San Roque Dam case, Philippines

In cases of involuntary resettlement, project-proponents are required under institutionalized international guidelines to conduct feasibility studies (pre-project construction) and prepare social monitoring programs (post-project construction) of the people-affected. This study, using a grounded theory/ethnographic research method, explores mutually dependent networks between project-proponents, local government units and project "beneficiaries" as a way to see how the implementation of compensation entitlements through livelihood reconstruction operates informally. My data revealed that social safeguards were in place superficially. The trauma of having been displaced is exacerbated with the loss of usual social support mechanisms and the associated dilution of cultural land-based norms. My results showed that project-affected participants' sense of self (physically and mentally) is attached to poorly implemented livelihood reconstruction schemes and compensation entitlements. This study uncovers some of the limitations of social impact assessment lacking analysis of the distribution of power in stakeholder relations.