Manila: Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Friday renewed his call for the immediate passage of a waste-to-energy (WTE) measure, citing the role of garbage buildup in worsening floods across the country. Gatchalian's call followed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s pronouncement that planned WTE facilities are the 'only solution' to the country's garbage management problem.
According to Philippines News Agency, Gatchalian, author of Senate Bill No. 365, or the Waste-to-Energy Act, said the President's statement underscores the need for a long-term solution to the country's worsening waste problem. He cited the buildup of garbage following the recent southwest monsoon (habagat), which brought heavy rains and flooding in the National Capital Region (NCR). Tons of garbage surfaced in parts of the NCR and clogged waterways and pumping stations, contributing to the flooding, Gatchalian said.
He said converting waste into energy could help reduce garbage buildup in waterways and minimize flooding. 'Sa WTE, mawawala na ang mga basura sa mga kanal na siyang dahilan ng mga pagbaha. (In WTE, garbage in the canal, the source of flooding will be removed) Instead of clogging waterways, garbage would be diverted to power plants for additional power supply,' Gatchalian said in a statement Friday.
The Philippines generates an average of 22.9 million metric tons of waste annually. Based on the historical average annual growth rate of 1.72 percent from 2020 to 2024, waste generation is projected to reach 29.60 million metric tons by 2040. Gatchalian's measure seeks to establish a comprehensive framework for the WTE industry and requires WTE strategies to be incorporated into national, provincial and local solid waste management plans.
The Senate leader also emphasized the environmental safeguards provided under the bill, which he discussed in two privilege speeches. The measure aims to ensure that WTE facilities comply with environmental standards while providing an alternative means of managing the country's growing volume of waste.
Gatchalian, meanwhile, also called for the construction of permanent evacuation centers in every local government unit nationwide to provide safe shelters for families displaced by disasters. Gatchalian said persistent monsoon rains and other calamities continue to affect thousands of families, leaving many temporarily homeless. He said the call is consistent with the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which mandates the establishment of evacuation centers in all cities and municipalities. The centers are intended to provide immediate and temporary shelter for people displaced by disasters and other emergencies.
