MMDA mulls using incinerators to deal with garbage problem, flooding

MANILA, Philippines - Arguing that uncollected and improperly dumped garbage in waterways is a major cause of flooding in Metro Manila, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is now batting for the use of incineration in dealing with waste.

“Basura 'yung nagpo-produce ng flood. Sa basura ang solusyong nakikita ko ay incineration. Sa Sweden 1960 may incineration na, walang basura walang baha,” said MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino.

Tolentino said what is needed is “smokeless” incineration similar to what is now being used in Sweden.

“Smokeless. Smoke free. Sa Sweden mas matagal ang buhay nila. Walang basura, walang baha,” he said.

Tolentino added that some countries have even used garbage incineration to generate energy. He added that if successful in Metro Manila, garbage from adjacent provinces like Bulacan, Cavite and Rizal could be accommodated by Metro incinerators.

“Yes. Nagko-convert pa ng energy. That’s the only way para clear lahat ng basura mo sa ilog pati sa household. Pag nagawa natin yan baka pati basura ng mga karatig lalawigan gaya ng Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite kunin na rin natin. Wala nang babara sa San Juan River. Mawawalan na rin ng basura sa Roxas Boulevard,” he said.

Tolentino said “smokeless” garbage incineration, which is now being used in Europe and Japan, does not pose a health risk. He added that in Japan, incinerators are even located in the downtown districts.

“Hindi. Ang Europe ganun ngayon. Ang Japan nasa gitna ng downtown nila,” he said.

Tolentino said the MMDA’s proposal is being supported by the Vice Mayors League of Metro Manila and by the Metro Manila Council (MMC)– the policy-making arm of the MMDA which has for its members all of the Metro mayors.

Tolentino said both the Vice Mayors League of Metro Manila and the MMC have already passed separate resolutions calling for the use of garbage incineration.

Tolentino said garbage– like plastic bags- that get sucked into flood pumping stations often hamper operations as the pumps are designed to only pump out water. The use of incinerators would complement the pump stations, said Tolentino.

“Complement 'yun kasi 'yung mga pumping stations naman were designed to pump water not to pump garbage, not to suck garbage or plastics or dead cats or stray dogs. Kung tatanungin ninyo kung ano solusyon? 'Yun,” he said.

Tolentino proposed that Metro Manila needs at least four garbage incinerators– each for the Metro’s north, south, west and east sectors.

“'Yung napasyalan ko sa Sweden may 2,000 tons of garbage daily 'yung capacity. So kung meron tayong eight thousand tons na garbage daily, dapat apat, for Metro Manila north, Metro Manila south, east and west,” he said.

However, Tolentino admits that before any plan towards garbage incineration in Metro Manila could take-off, the country’s Clean Air Act which forbids garbage incineration should first be amended by Congress.

“Siguro kung magkaroon na ng Congress imprimatur na pumapayag na baguhin ng maliwanag 'yung Clean Air Act. Malaking bagay 'yun,” he said.

Tolentino said each garbage incinerator for Metro Manila could cost at least P7 billion to build. However, he stressed that garbage incinerators could also produce energy and generate electricity from the burning of trash.

“Mababawasan 'yung baha pero yung flood na nadudulot ng flood producing garbage ibang usapan. Incineration na ang kailangan dun. At ang ganda nun dahil nagpoproduce ng kuryente  kung may shortage ng kuryente, galing basura may kuryente,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tolentino said Metro Manila needs two more flood pumping stations– one for the San Juan River and another for Marikina City.