Cebu City officials check site for waste-to-energy facility

THE Cebu City Government is now finalizing its evaluation of the proposed location of the country’s first large-scale waste-to-energy (WTE) facility.

Collin Rosell, secretary of Mayor Michael Rama, told SunStar Cebu Friday, Feb. 10, that the report is expected to be completed this month.

Representatives of New Sky (China) Environment and Techo Co Ltd., the proponent of the WTE project, met Rosell, a lawyer, at the City Hall on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023.

According to Rosell, no major developments were discussed during the meeting and the company’s executives only want to “give a face” to their commitment to completing the project.

In September 2022, the City Government and New Sky Energy Philippines Inc. entered into a joint venture agreement for the construction of the P4.8 billion facility that will be capable of processing 800 tons of garbage per day.

The firm has selected a seven-hectare property in the mountain barangay of Guba as the site for its garbage incinerator facility.

Rosell said the site evaluation is being conducted by various City Hall offices like the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, the Solid Waste Management Board, the Department of Public Services, and the Department of Engineering and Public Works.

The results of the evaluation will be the basis for the decision of the proponent to proceed with acquiring the selected private lot in Guba.

The factors considered by the City in its evaluation are the distance of transporting the garbage, the road infrastructure, and other environmental aspects, he said.

Rosell added that the proponents will secure all the necessary government permits this year.

“As far as the Office of the Mayor is concerned, they have yet to submit their formal recommendation and report on the matter for the mayor to act upon, including the Sangguniang (Panlungsod),” said Rosell in a mix of Cebuano and English.

The City Council will be given a copy of the evaluation report and if there are no objections, a resolution of no objection will be issued for the project to proceed, he added.

Rosell further said that public hearings and consultations will be conducted to make sure that the sentiments of the people, especially those living near the proposed location, will be heard.

“The selection of the project site will take time because there is the right of the people to participate in the decision making on matters affecting their interest,” said Rosell.

The proposed WTE facility is expected to produce electricity to power around 40,000 households.