Power firm wants northern lot instead

CEBU, Philippines - With litigations concerning the controversial Balili property still ongoing, the company set to operate the Waste to Energy project with the Province of Cebu is requesting to transfer the planned construction of the plant to another area in Cebu instead.

During the Economic Enterprise Council meeting yesterday, representatives of the Waste Management Inc. asked the council if it was possible for them to have the project in an area in the northern part of Cebu.

Magpale said that according to WMI they were not aware that the property that they were going to lease had some legal concerns.

Suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia earlier explained that part of the Balili property was to be rented by a private company at P30 per square meter, or P2.1 million a month, where a WTE plant will be constructed, adding to the energy supply of the province.

In December of last year, Provincial Board Member Alex Binghay filed a resolution authorizing Garcia to execute and sign for and on behalf of the Province of Cebu with WMI.

In the resolution, Binghay said the increase in population and rapid industrialization of Cebu City and the other cities and municipalities of the province have increased the volume of waste daily which made the provincial government decide on a WTE project.

Yesterday, Magpale said that the WMI asked for permission from EEC if they could instead buy a property, preferably in Danao City or somewhere in the northern part of Cebu.

Magpale said that WMI is eyeing on a property in Danao which is within the vicinity of the industrial zone in the city where they would be using five hectares for the WTE plant.

But Magpale said that they would have to meet again for another meeting after a feasibility study is done on the area where the company is planning to operate the WTE project.

Magpale, a resident of Danao herself, said that she is quite familiar with the area and she knows that a subdivision is located nearby.

Magpale said that WMI will need to check if it is feasible to put up a WTE plant in a residential area. Also, she said that they will be checking on the area themselves.

The change in location also means a major change in the contract signed by WMI and the provincial government including 13 mayors, said Magpale, which means that they have to revisit the plans.

Magpale said that on their next meeting, the province’s consultant on finances and technical aspects will have to attend as well.

Provincial Attorney Marino Martinquilla was asked by Magpale to provide her the sequence of events on how the WTE project was concluded and the details of meetings that discussed the plan with WMI.

WMI, having done WTE plants in others areas in the country, was awarded the contract after public biddings were made for the construction and operation of a WTE project.   (FREEMAN)