MALVAR, Batangas – In a major step towards sustainable development, this town has partnered with the pioneering waste management firm Alterna Verde Corp. and local hauling expert Damascus Road Logistics Corp. to address the escalating challenge of municipal solid waste (MSW) management.

The initiative is a direct response to this town's recent economic and demographic growth, which has placed increasing pressure on its traditional waste collection and disposal systems.

Mayor Artemio Abu is the driving force behind the municipality’s push for green projects which put to life significant aspects of his 10-point agenda about health conciseness and sanitation.

Abu hailed the agreement as a significant victory for the town. “We are not just cleaning up our streets; we are securing a healthier, more prosperous tomorrow by turning a major problem – our growing garbage – into a powerful solution: Supporting sustainable energy. My administration is fully committed to making this project a success and a model for other municipalities."

Malvar is the first local government unit (LGU) in Southern Luzon to fully commit to and support this centralized waste-to-energy arrangement, pioneering a scalable and sustainable model for the region.

Alterna Verde Corp. is using its proprietary Sustainable Environmental Resource Re-genesis System technology in the municipality.

The SERRS facility in San Pablo City, specializes in bio-methanation, a natural, carbon-neutral process that transforms organic waste—a significant component of Philippine MSW—into valuable resources.

Instead of incineration, the technology uses anaerobic digestion to capture bio-methane, or Renewable Natural Gas (RNG), which can be used to generate electricity.

This not only diverts massive amounts of waste from landfills but also creates a new, sustainable energy source for the community.

Furthermore, the process yields organic soil conditioner as a useful co-product for local agriculture.

“Our goal is to not just manage waste, but to eliminate the concept of waste entirely, seeing every discarded material as a potential asset," Gary Llanes, AVP, Strategic Projects,

Alterna Verde Corp., said. "We are committed to helping Malvar meet its sustainability goals by providing an environmentally responsible and scalable off-site processing solution."

The municipal government, through its Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), will play a crucial role in overseeing the transition, implementing stricter waste segregation policies, and educating the public on the new system.

This collaborative effort marks a milestone for Malvar, demonstrating how local government, environmental technology leaders, and service providers can unite to solve complex urban challenges, paving the way for a more resilient and environmentally conscious community in Batangas.