Over the past several years, promoting the use of Waste-to-Energy (WtE) technologies in the Philippines has always been a challenge. Other environmental advocates are still under the impression that WtE is limited to the use of old incinerators which, they say, will only cause more harm and pollution than its intended purpose of converting wastes into clean, renewable energy. With the DENR’s issuance of guidelines to establish WtE facilities, the parameters by which such facilities may operate have been defined, thus answering the concerns raised over allowing WtE projects.
In an energy committee hearing held in 2019, the Congress expressed its support to the passage of Waste-to-Energy Bill that aims to create a more refined legal measure in establishing WtE facility in the country. The bill will also complement Section 30 of Republic Act No. 9153, otherwise known as “Renewable Energy Act of 2008” which mandates the Department of Energy (DOE) to adopt Waste-to-Energy Technologies, subject to the provisions and intent of Republic Act No. 8749 (Clean Air Act of 1999) and Republic Act No. 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000).
At present, the Philippines is gradually expanding the use of renewable energy sources to meet the increasing demands for clean, cheaper and efficient energy. Exploring more renewable energy sources is also expected to grow in the foreseeable future. As the Congress and DENR’s approach in establishing Waste-to-Energy facility remains positive, it will be just a matter of time before we see the promising effects that WtE can give in terms of supplementing the country’s energy needs and cleaning the environment by converting thousands of tons of garbage daily into renewable energy. WtE facility is also seen to ease the volume of wastes being sent to materials recovery facilities that lack the technology to recycle wastes that usually end up in dump sites. A 2018 study of Solid Waste Management Association of the Philippines (SWAPP) suggests that, given the current situation of solid waste management in highly urbanized areas, Waste-to-Energy projects will gain more attention from the government as it becomes a very viable option, provided it complies with existing laws and guidelines.
In just its first year of operations in the country, Asia Pacific Renewable Energy Solutions (APRES) Inc. has already inked an agreement with the local government of Catanduanes to establish a Waste-to-Energy plant, using Singapore technology, with construction to commence on the first quarter of 2021. This facility is anticipated to provide job opportunities, revenues for the province and secondary markets, as a booster to Catanduanes’ economic growth.
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