BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – The proposed P2.3-billion “waste-to-energy” facility in this metropolis will go through all the strictest tests of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other government agencies, according to Mayor Jerry Treñas.
He defended the project, highlighting its potential benefits for both waste management and energy production.
“I am very positive it will benefit the Ilonggos…I will not allow any facility to produce toxic and hazardous pollutants in the city,” said Treñas.
He emphasized that the facility is expected to address the city’s growing waste disposal challenges while generating renewable energy, thus contributing to environmental sustainability.
The mayor issued the statement when sought for his reaction to the opposition of environmental advocacy group EcoWaste Coalition, which called on the city government to reconsider its plan to build the WTE facility without conducting more intensive research and consultations with its stakeholders in the city.
EcoWaste said the proposed P2.3-billion facility in Barangay Ingore, La Paz district will not resolve the environmental issues in the city.
Instead, the facility would only produce toxic and hazardous pollutants such as dioxins and furans known to cause cancers and other life-threatening diseases which are considered more harmful than the original waste, said EcoWaste Coalition.
“The proposed WtE facility falls short of addressing the fundamental aspects of waste management that aligns with environmental preservation and resource conservation principles,” the group said.
Citing the 2021 Waste Analysis and Characterization Study, the group said the city generates approximately 496 tons of waste per day, a significant portion of which is biodegradable (50 percent) or recyclable (25 [percent), with only 25 percent residual materials.
“This data reveals a stark misalignment between the facility’s capacity and the actual waste profile, suggesting the project might inadvertently foster more waste production, contrary to sustainable waste management practices mandated by Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act,” the group said.
Likewise, the group said the proposal runs contrary to Republic Act 8749, or the Clean Air Act, which aims to protect and preserve the quality of Philippine air.
“WtE projects, despite advances in technology, entail the combustion of waste materials, a process that inherently emits greenhouse gasses, toxic compounds, and particulate matter,” the group added.
In a statement, Mayor Treñas emphasized the importance of adopting innovative solutions to urban issues and reiterated his administration’s priority project including the construction of a “waste-to-energy” facility.
The mayor said the project aligns with the city’s broader goals of sustainability and improved public services. He added the project will undergo strict scrutiny by the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center.
“The WtE we entered went through a very rigid process stipulated under the PPP Law. There are still permits to be secured and the facility will again undergo the strictest tests of DENR and other government agencies before it can operate,” said Treñas.
He added that the operation of a sanitary landfill is not sustainable due to its costly construction and operation, adding the city may soon run out of land for dumpsites.
Treñas entered into a joint venture agreement with Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) to construct a P2.3-billion cutting-edge Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility (ISWMF) in Barangay Ingore in La Paz district last March 1.
The proposed waste-to-energy plant can process up to 470 tons of non-recyclable waste as potential fuel daily and produce around 2.4 megawatts of energy.
Under the agreement, the ISWMF would treat, recover, and convert the city’s waste into refuse-derived fuel (RDF) and biogas, considered renewable energy sources by the Department of Energy.
The facility will be installed with appropriate technology and equipment for the operation and maintenance of the facility.
“It will significantly reduce the waste that ends up in Iloilo landfills, conserving natural resources, and minimizing environmental impact. The project is also estimated to result in a reduction of 129,000 metric tons per year of CO2 (carbon dioxide) equivalent,” MPIC said in a statement./PN
