Land acquisition, compensation and resettlement on the STDP are/were in compliance with the ADB’s policies.

The Resettlement Implementation Plan (RIP) and the policies and procedures have been prepared in compliance with the policies and procedures outlined in the ADB’s Handbook on Resettlement. The main objectives and principles of the ADB are as follows:

• Involuntary resettlement should be avoided where feasible.
• Where population displacement is unavoidable, it should be minimized by exploring all viable project options
• People unavoidably displaced should be compensated and assisted, so that their economic and social future would be generally as favorable with the project as it would have been in the absence of the project.
• The absence of a formal legal title to land by some affected groups should not be a bar to compensation; particular attention should be paid to households headed by woman and other vulnerable groups, such as the very poor, the elderly, indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities, and appropriate assistance provided to help them improves their status.
• Affected people should be fully informed and closely consulted on resettlement and compensation options.
• Vulnerable groups should be assisted to improve their status; they may not have assets for compensation or income for restoration. Replacement housing should meet minimum housing standards.
• The full costs of resettlement and compensation should be included in the presentation of project costs and benefits.