In its continuous effort to promote Waste-to-Energy (WtE) projects in the Philippines, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through Administrative Order No. 2019 – 21, has already set the Guidelines Governing WtE Facilities for the Integrated
Management of Municipal Solid Wastes. These guidelines aim to solidify the government’s initiative to pursue and adopt WtE technologies that will significantly help in reducing the volume of trash in the country without compromising safety and health hazards.
As waste materials continue to pile up and landfills become inadequate over time, the need to address waste management problems has become a priority program of DENR.
The guidelines complement the provisions of RA 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act) that govern the establishment and operation of Waste-to-Energy technologies for Municipal Solid Wastes (MSW). These guidelines also adhere to the policy of the government to promote compliance with Presidential Decree (PD) 1586 (Establishing an Environmental Impact Statement System), RA 6969 (Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Act of 1990), RA 8749 (Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999); and RA 9275 (Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004).
Essentially, the guidelines also set forth the conditions required prior to the establishment of a WtE facility and the rules on its operations. Further, the guidelines explicitly provide a provision on environmental monitoring and social accountability which will address any possible concern on WtE’s impact on the environment. To be consistent with the objectives of Clean Air Act, the guidelines also specifically set the parameters and standards by which WtE facilities can operate.
For the complete copy of the Guidelines Governing Waste to Energy Facilities for the Integrated Management of Municipal Solid Wastes, kindly check out the following link: https://emb.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Guidelines-Governing-Waste-To-Energy-WtE-Facilities-for-the-Integrated-Management-of-Municipal-Solid-Wastes.pdf
With the implementation of the said guidelines, the Philippines can now start exploring the available technologies that can convert wastes into renewable energy. As soon as the most efficient and viable technologies have been adopted, the overflowing landfills can begin rehabilitation and closure to save space while also protecting the environment. Not only this will greatly save our environment for the future, WtE projects can also generate additional revenues for the LGUs.
At Asia Pacific Renewable Energy Solutions (APRES) Inc., we remain committed to the strict adherence of these guidelines, in our WtE projects across the Philippines.
Leave a Comments