President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is pushing a waste-to-energy program as a way to address the country’s waste disposal problem while turning garbage into a potential source of electricity.
Under the proposed program, waste would be processed to generate electricity. Marcos said the technology has been available for a long time and is already being used in other countries.
Singapore was cited as an example, where waste is processed to reduce the amount of garbage sent to landfills while generating electricity.
In the Philippines, a waste-to-energy project is already being proposed, including a large facility in New Clark City in Tarlac.
Marcos announced the plan after seeing large amounts of garbage accumulated in canals and waterways in Parañaque and other areas affected by flooding.
According to the president, garbage carried by floodwaters and trapped in waterways contributed to the obstruction of drainage channels. He also noted that high tide added to the situation.
The buildup of garbage in waterways has highlighted the country’s continuing waste disposal problem as flooding affects several areas.
Alongside the waste-to-energy proposal, Marcos called on local government units and the public to be responsible in disposing of garbage.
He said proper waste disposal is necessary to prevent garbage from becoming an additional problem during periods of heavy rain and flooding.
The proposed waste-to-energy approach is intended to process waste for electricity while addressing waste disposal concerns.
The government has cited the use of similar technology in other countries, including Singapore.
The proposed facility in New Clark City, Tarlac, is among the waste-to-energy projects being pursued in the Philippines.
Marcos’ announcement links the proposed program to the broader issue of garbage accumulating in waterways during flooding.
The president also emphasized the responsibility of local governments and the public in properly disposing of waste to help prevent further obstruction of waterways during heavy rains.
The proposal comes as authorities continue to deal with the effects of garbage buildup in canals and waterways in flood-affected areas.
