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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider Iloilo City urged to reconsider 'toxic' waste-to-energy project

Iloilo City urged to reconsider 'toxic' waste-to-energy project

Published Jul 1, 2024 05:38 am

ILOILO CITY – A coalition of environmental groups has urged the Iloilo City government to scrutinize the proposed waste-to-energy (WTE) project by incineration deemed toxic both to people and the environment.

ILOILO CITY WTE.png

“We call on the Iloilo City government to reconsider the construction of a WTE facility,” said the EcoWaste Coalition in a statement following a public forum on June 28.

The Iloilo City government inked a deal last March for the proposed Iloilo Solid Waste Management Facility (ISWMF) with Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) and its subsidiaries – the MetPower Venture Partners Holdings Inc. and the Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW).

Mayor Jerry Treñas said that the ISWMF is a good alternative in addressing the waste generated and is also a cost-saving measure as the city government does not need to construct another sanitary landfill.

The ISWMF reportedly can generate 2.4 megawatts of electricity from an average of 470 to 475 tons of non-recyclable waste.

But the EcoWaste Coalition reiterated that the Iloilo City government must scrutinize the ISWMF in the context of waste generation and waste management strategies by conducting more intensive research and consultation.

Citing the 2021 Waste Analysis and Characterization Study, an estimated 50 percent or 496 tons of the daily waste here is biodegradable. The recyclable waste only accounts for 25 percent while the remaining 25 percent is residual waste.

Brex Arevalo of the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA-Asia Pacific) pointed out that incinerator-run facilities mostly only accept dry waste or plastics to produce an efficient amount of energy.

But with the proportion of the waste generated by Iloilo City and the waste needed by the proposed ISWMF, it is not enough, he said.

Arevalo warned this might result in generating more trash and that garbage burned may also release toxic and hazardous emissions that can cause more pollution.

“This might defeat the purpose of the project,” Arevalo said.

Glory Rose Manatad of EcoWaste said there is a need to look into these serious concerns, especially when it was announced that the ISWMF will start construction by October.

Manatad said that the Iloilo City government should be transparent and fully inform the people before embarking on the WTE project that might cause more harm than good.

The coalition said that the Iloilo City government can actually embark on a WTE project that does not use incinerators.

The forum was also backed by Greenpeace Philippines-Iloilo Volunteers and the Youth Voices Count Inc.

Related Tags

Iloilo City Incineration Waste-to-energy
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