Mayor appeals anew to nat’l gov’t for WTE facility establishment
DAVAO City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte is appealing for the national government's help anew for the city's plan to establish the waste-to-energy (WTE) facility.
Duterte made the appeal during his first State of the City Address (Soca) on Friday, July 28.
He said the WTE project, which is planned to be constructed at Sitio Pongot, Barangay Biao Escuela in Tugbok District, has an estimated cost of P5 billion.
The mayor said the Japanese government will be giving a P2.5 billion grant.
"Libre na siya [P2.5 billion grant from Japan]. Karon need mugasto sa Philippine government a counterpart of P2.5 billion (The P2.5 billion-budget from Japan is already free. Now, the Philippine government has to shoulder the remaining P2.5 billion)," he said.
Duterte mentioned the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), addressing his concern about the WTE project to the agency.
"Basig, unta, muhangyo lang ko. Please po (We are hoping. I am appealing. Please)," the mayor said.
The 20th Davao City Council, in August last year, requested through a passed resolution to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. a P3.486 billion Philippine national government counterpart fund for the continuity of the project.
Duterte said he had lobbied for the materialization of the project, which was conceived at the time of his sister, former Davao City Mayor and current Vice President Sara Duterte.
The project was first proposed in 2015 in partnership with Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica). A feasibility study has been conducted which confirmed the viability of the establishment and operation of a WTE facility in Davao City.
Duterte previously said the WTE not only significantly reduces the volume of waste dumped in a sanitary landfill, but also contributes to and provides one of the most important resources, energy.
The mayor added the sanitary landfill in Barangay New Carmen has almost reached its full capacity due to the increase in the volume of waste in the city.
Based on a previous report, the city generates around 600 to 700 tons of waste daily.
During the Soca, Duterte said the Ancillary Services Unit had collected 5,554 cubic meters of waste from July 2022 to June 2023.
However, the WTE project is condemned by environmental groups.
Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (Idis) said that the WTE facility releases emissions of toxic substances such as dioxins and furans which are carcinogenic or could cause cancer, as well as cause reproductive and developmental problems.
Plastic Free Pilipinas regional coordinator Jill Banta said in a previous interview that the facility could negatively affect 20 barangays with its toxic emissions.