By Politiko staff
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed optimism that the government’s waste-to-energy (WTE) initiative will roll out next year, serving as a dual solution to the country’s worsening garbage disposal crisis and recurring flood problems.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday during his inspection of the Tripa de Gallina Pumping Station in Pasay City, the largest pumping facility operated by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Marcos highlighted that bidding processes led by the Department of Energy (DOE) are already underway, with full implementation targeted by 2027.
“With our waste-to-energy programs which as I’m sure you have heard, the Department of Energy is already starting to auction… medyo mabilis naman ‘yan at ‘yung waste-to-energy should be, as long as the financing is fixed and is available, I think we will be able to put those into action by next year,” the President said.
The DOE earlier disclosed on August 12 that roughly 400 megawatts (MW) of waste-to-energy capacity have been integrated into the Green Energy Auction program, with bidding set for October 13.
Marcos noted that while organic waste is increasingly being turned into compost and bio-products, inorganic refuse clogging vital drainage systems and urban waterways remains a major head-scratcher for flood management authorities.
“Pero ang nagiging problema pa rin ay ‘yung pagpasok ng basura. Kaya’t naghahanap tayo ng mga iba’t ibang pamamaraan upang magamit ‘yung basura. At ‘yan, ginagawang compost, ginagawang paso na organic,” he observed.
Lamenting the sheer volume and bizarre variety of trash retrieved from urban drainage networks, Marcos quipped about the extent of indiscriminate dumping in Metro Manila waterways.
“Ang biro nga nila is that kung kukunin mo lahat ng lumalabas na basura, puwede kang magbuo ng bahay dahil mayroong mga kitchen sink, may mattress tayong nakita, kung ano-ano ‘yung tinatapon sa ano. Kaya’t kailangan natin tugunan ‘yung problema sa basura,” Marcos added.—Politiko.com.ph
