ILOILO CITY – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources said the waste-to-energy (WtE) project here is a comprehensive solution to waste management.
DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Loyzaga (center), with MPIC Chief Finance Officer June Cheryl Cabal-Revilla, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, Iloilo City Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., and MetPower President Jose Maria Niño Jesus Madara, inspects a miniature model of the waste-to-energy project in Iloilo City. (Tara Yap)
“This is a comprehensive solution that allows maximum resource use and minimizes environmental impact,” said DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga during the groundbreaking ceremony of the P2.3-billion facility on Friday, April 5.
The Iloilo Solid Waste Management Facility (ISWMF) is a joint venture between the Iloilo City government and the Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) through its subsidiaries MetPower Venture Partners Holdings Inc. and Metro Pacific Water Investments Corp.
MetPower President Jose Maria Niño Jesus Madara said the ISWMF will address waste, power, and water security – three important concerns of the city.
“This is one of the most innovative and groundbreaking introductions to a circular economy,” said Loyzaga.
The ISWMF can process a maximum of 475 tons per day of solid waste as well as 115 tons of wastewater from Metro Pacific Iloilo Water.
It is set to replace the city’s existing sanitary landfill that will reach its 10-year lifespan next year.
The energy generated from the ISWMF will provide power to the desalination plant of Metro Pacific Water.
Also present during the groundbreaking were MPIC Chief Finance Officer June Cheryl Cabal-Revilla, Mayor Jerry Treñas, Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, and Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.