BY MARY JOY CAVAÑAS
ILOILO City – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) passed two critical resolutions in support of a proposed waste-to-energy project – a major step in addressing the city’s growing waste challenges.
The first resolution empowers Mayor Jerry Treñas to negotiate and sign a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) for the city’s Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility (ISWMF).
This agreement will be with a selected partner that presents the most responsive and beneficial proposal for the project.
The second resolution approves the tender documents for the JVA and ISWMF. This includes the provision for a Swiss Challenge, a bidding process that allows third parties to submit competing offers.
This approach aims to prevent inflated project costs and ensure the best value for the city.
These resolutions followed the endorsement by the SP Committee on Public Service, Environmental Protection and Ecology, led by Councilor Ely Estante.
The committee’s support came after a detailed review and a public hearing on Nov. 13, attended by various city stakeholders.
The resolutions align with Iloilo City’s Regulation Ordinance No. 2019-524, known as The Integrated Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Code, which governs such initiatives.
Earlier in January 2023, Metro Pacific Water submitted an unsolicited proposal for the ISWMF. The SP has since unanimously approved the Terms of Reference and Project Agreement for the waste-to-energy component of the Integrated Solid Waste Program.
Mayor Treñas welcomed the unanimous approval of the project’s terms and emphasized adherence to the city’s PPP ordinance.
Under the ordinance, competing proposals will be welcomed once an invitation for comparative proposals is published. The original proponent then has the right to match any superior offer.
To maintain transparency and avoid conflicts of interest, Treñas and the PPP committee members will refrain from meeting potential bidders until the comparative proposal invitation is issued.
The urgency of this project is underscored by the situation at the Calahunan Sanitary Landfill in Mandurriao district. The landfill, occupying 3.3 hectares, is nearing its capacity and posing severe health risks, including respiratory and communicable diseases. Environmental concerns also arise from potential contamination of the water table.
As of October, the landfill has already reached 75% of its capacity, with 615,233 metric tons of waste. Projections indicate that it will be filled to capacity by mid-2026./PN