Garcia mulls waste-to-energy facility in Carmen

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said the provincial government will be employing modern technology to convert solid waste to energy as soon as the solid waste management facility in Carmen starts to operate.

Garcia said they are now preparing the terms of reference to start the public bidding of the project.

Garcia said that they are looking at a possible joint venture with private investors using the 18-hectare Carmen property as the province’s equity.

Provincial Board Member Arleigh Sitoy earlier questioned what happened to the project because Cordova town was part of the cluster of northern towns and cities that wanted to put up a solid waste management facility in Carmen.

Sitoy wondered what happened to the project because Cordova, where he is from, has been looking for a place to throw their garbage.

The other areas covered by the cluster are the local government units from Mandaue City to Carmen.

Garcia announced her plan to put up a waste to energy facility in Carmen during her meeting with the board members.

“The phenomenal growth of Cebu requires more power. The possibility of converting solid waste to energy or power indeed sends obvious justifications,” Garcia said.

Once this will be materialized, Garcia said this can be another economic enterprise that possibly earns more revenues for the province.

This is also good for the province in compliance with the Solid Waste Management Act.

The Province of Cebu is waiting for private sectors to invest in the facility in Carmen.

There are three potential investors which already showed interest in the project. Among them is a Russian firm that advocates 100 percent recycling and two companies that engineered waste-to-energy incinerators.

Garcia said that most of these investors are foreigners but they have Filipino partners.

Garcia reportedly became interested in the said technologies during her visits abroad particularly in Europe where solid waste management entails minimal residual waste. (FREEMAN)