Marcos Jr. pushes for waste-to-energy in SONA address, seeking law update

MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told Congress that it’s time to update the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act or Republic Act No. 9003 to allow waste-to-energy (WTE) and other touted modern solutions to the waste crisis. “Kailangan pa rin nating iwasto ang ating pamamaraan sa pagtapon ng basura (We still need to fix our waste disposal methods). One systemic intervention is to update our 25-year-old Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, aligning it with modern waste management practices, such as waste-to-energy and waste treatment technology,” Marcos said on Monday, July 27, during his fifth State of the Nation Address. Marcos’ directive echoes what the Department of Environment and Natural Resources had said earlier this year about allowing incineration technologies in amending the 25-year-old law. The Philippines saw several landfill incidents in the first half of the year: from Binaliw in Cebu to New Carmen in Davao City. Waste-to-energy is now promoted as the solution to the landfill crisis. In his speech, Marcos raised the subject in the context of the country’s flooding issue, substandard flood control projects, and the clearing of waterways in Metro Manila. Trash clogging waterways worsens flooding in urban areas. “As we recalibrate our solid waste management systems, we can draw inspiration from the solid waste management practices being championed by the MMDA here in Metro Manila, such as waste recovery, processing, upcycling,” the President added, referring to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. Many environmental advocates have long opposed waste-to-energy, citing health and public safety. Waste-to-energy and incineration technologies remain illegal under the law. Allowing them would require Congress to work on the necessary amendments. Among major WTE proposals in the country are the 100-megawatt waste-to-energy facility in Tondo, Manila, and a large-scale plant in New Clark City worth P4 billion. The MMDA and the Department of Energy signed a waste-to-energy deal in January. Play Video – Rappler.com