Barangays told to formalize protest vs WTE facility

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival advised residents of Barangay Guba and neighboring upland communities to formally write to the city government regarding their opposition to the proposed Waste-to-Energy (WTE) facility, following a wave of protests and renewed scrutiny over the project’s environmental and health implications.

In yesterday’s press briefing in City Hall, Archival acknowledged the strong resistance voiced during a public hearing held three days ago.

Aside from the hearing, some barangay officials and residents from Bararangays Guba, Sirao, Adlaon, Cambinocot, Agsungonot, Binaliw, Taptap, and Mabini have joined forces to oppose the WTE facility, citing lack of consultation and fears of incineration-related hazards yesterday.

“Batukan ang incinerator, ibasura ang incinerator. Protektahan ang kalikupan,” the group said.

Barangay Captain Rey Lauron of Cambinocot, warned that Guba and its neighboring barangays could suffer the same fate as Inayawan which previously hosted a controversial landfill.

“Fresh air sa bukid ang importante. Inig abot sa basura, baho na. Imbes fresh air, fresh basura na ni,” Lauron said.

Residents questioned the timing of the public hearing.

“Ngano karon pa man magpatawag ug public hearing?” one protester asked.

Archival took note of their sentiments saying “Ingon sila ‘Dili mi musugot.’ Akong suggestion nila, you write a letter to me or to the vice mayor so that this will be discussed fully sa City Council,” he said.

While Archival stopped short of declaring his support or opposition, he recalled his earlier stance as city councilor.

“During the time it was approved, there was no area specified. That’s why I objected to it,” Archival said.

“Now it was there in the council, and it was signed by the mayor, I think. Dili pa ako ang mayor. Karon kay na late man, this is one thing I need to check. And kaning mga reklamo sa mga tawo nga wa ma mag-public hearing… Right now I cannot say unsay akong buhaton but I need to get the facts,” he added.

The long-standing plan to build a WTE facility in Cebu City faces another three-year delay following strong opposition.

Earlier, Councilor Joel Garganera revisited the project’s timeline, tracing its roots back to the closure of the Inayawan Landfill in 2011 under then mayor Michael Rama.

Although reopened in 2016, the landfill was later permanently shut down after the Supreme Court upheld a Writ of Kalikasan filed by Garganera, citing “serious health risks” to nearby residents.

Currently, Cebu City’s waste is being hauled to the privately-operated Binaliw Landfill, which Garganera said has committed violations, including groundwater contamination confirmed by tests conducted by San Carlos University. To address this, the city decided to mirror Bangkok’s WTE model.

On September 22, 2022, Rama signed a Joint Venture Agreement and issued a Notice of Award to New Sky for the construction of the WTE facility but it was stated the city will have a say on its location accordingly.

Garganera said WTE plants “burn waste in a controlled manner, reducing trash volume by up to 90% while generating electricity.”

Originally slated for completion this year, the project has yet to break ground.

Garganera admitted that public acceptance remains one of the biggest hurdles.

He presented a petition letter from Guba residents warning of respiratory illnesses, foul odors, and soil contamination.

Residents instead called for the full implementation of Republic Act No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, which mandates segregation and barangay-level Materials Recovery Facilities.

Further consultations are expected, with the Department of Health and DENR-7 tasked to address health and environmental concerns.

The ?5-billion facility, fully funded by New Sky, requires the city to provide a site.

Garganera said the company has procured a five- to seven-hectare lot in Guba after ownership disputes hampered the original Inayawan site. The project also includes a privately funded road network to improve access.

The project is yet to secure permits as well from the Department of Energy and DENR accordingly and must reclassify the land’s zoning from agrarian. No definite timeline has been set for completion. — (FREEMAN)