Consultant pushes WTE facility at Inayawan landfill

CEBU, Philippines — A consultancy firm hired by Cebu City government to do a closure and rehabilitation plan for the controversial Inayawan Sanitary Landfill has recommended the establishment of a waste-to-energy facility in the area.

Full Advantage Philippines Inc. also recommended building of children’s park, terminals, and solar farm. Nida Cabrera, head of the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO), said that the waste-to-energy facility is proposed to be built on the three-hectare vacant lot within the landfill compound.

She said the facility will process the existing pile of garbage in the dumping site and convert it to energy. Cabrera said the recommendation will be submitted for approval of the Environmental Management Bureau-7 and the Court of Appeals.

"Yes, potential siya kay naa ma'y three hectare nga dili masulod siya sa service area. Wala siya'y dumping so mao siya among gitan-aw nga mahimong potential site sa WTE facility," Cabrera said.

At present, eight companies have expressed interest to build the facility. The proposals are currently being reviewed by the Solid Waste Management Board (SWMB). Among the companies that expressed interest to build the WTE facility are the Best Trade Company, Metro Pacific Group, New Sky, NECO, JFA from Yokohama and Western Power.

The consultancy firm presented the result its recommendation before the city's technical team composed of personnel from the Department of Public Services (DPS), CCENRO, City Budget Office, and others.

Cabrera said she could not answer yet whether or not the recommendations will be implemented since these are still subject to the approval of concerned offices and court. The City Council also needs to approve it.

Court approval is needed considering that the landfill is subject of a closure order from the court after Councilor Joel Garganera filed a petition before the appellate court for the issuance of a Writ of Kalikasan.

The city government spent P2.5 million to commission Full Advantage Philippines Inc. to conduct the study. (FREEMAN)